Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: FSARS

  • Police Killings: IGP Adamu Bans FSARS, Other Tactical Squads from Patrols

    Police Killings: IGP Adamu Bans FSARS, Other Tactical Squads from Patrols

    Tactical squads within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been banned from carrying out routine patrols and othe conventional low-risk duties.

    According to a statement by police spokesman, DSP Frank Mba on Sunday, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu ordered that “all FSARS, STS, IRT & other Tactical Police Squads operating at Federal, Zonal & Command levels are hereby banned from carrying out routine patrols & other conventional low-risk duties – stop & search duties, checkpoints, roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect.

    READ ALSO: Video: Atiku, Saraki Condemn Killing of a Young Man by SARS in Delta

    The IGP also warned that: “Henceforth, no police personnel is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti”.

    The statement by Mba further stated that: “All Police Force personnel must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear.

    “All Tactical Squads must also desist from the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.

    “Henceforth,the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS, Commissioners of Police in charge of State/FCT Commands as well as their supervisory Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, will be held liable for any police misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR)” the IGP warned.

    The IGP assured that authorities will step up monitoring of all activities of Tactical Squads (FSARS etc) and other police officers, nationwide, and ensure the prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all officers who violate these directives and other Force regulations.

    Furthermore, the IGP stated that the NPF’s complaint Response Unit (@PoliceNG_CRU on Twitter) will also continue to be available to receive and investigate complaints against Police Officers, for appropriate action.

    READ ALSO: Ondo Guber Election, APC, PDP Supporters Engage in Gun Battle

    IGP Adamu however encouraged Nigerians to make available full details of incidents to the Unit, using any of their contact details.

    This directive comes barely 24 hours after a young man was reported to have been killed by FSARS operatives in Delta State on Saturday. The ugly incident sparked renewed anger and clamour amongst Nigerians for an end to the squad, which many believe has gone rogue and unable to protect citizens.

    Read NPF HQ’s press statement below

  • Controversy: Odumakin insists FSARS arrested Olakunrin’s killers; No arrest made – Police

    Controversy: Odumakin insists FSARS arrested Olakunrin’s killers; No arrest made – Police

    The controversy surrounding the arrest of suspected killers of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Fasoranti might not be over yet.

    Yinka Odumakin, who is Afenifere’s spokesperson on Wednesday, confirmed to echotitbits that the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS) indeed arrested suspects connected to the July 2019 murder of Funke Olakunrin.

    On how he (Odumakin) knew about the said arrest, the Afenifere spokesman noted that “We were worried for the husband until last Saturday when the Commander of Federal SARS in Ondo came to him to break the news that they have arrested four suspected killers.

    “It was Federal SARS that arrested the killers. They were taken to Police Command at Ondo town before they were moved out of Ondo state but I will not want to mention where they are now.

    “They also arrested the driver to Funke Olakunrin just two days ago (Monday).The regular Police Command as I said have been totally irresponsible. The way they are behaving over this matter is enough to make us lose confidence in the police forever”, Odumakin said.

    He berated the Police saying “if the Police Command in Ondo is yet to know that the Federal SARS arrested these people then it is a shame”

    Odumakin confirmed that it is true that the Police in Ondo did not arrest the alleged killers of Olakunrin but  accused the command of negligence.

    In his response to echotitbits, Odumakin accused the regular police command and its state SARS formation in Ondo of doing nothing on the case. He made it clear that “It was the Federal SARS that I was talking about, and as I am talking to you now, they are interrogating the suspects.”

    In a case like this it is expected that as a matter of procedure that certain steps be made in the process of unraveling the identities of the killers. But according to Odumakin the Ondo State Police Commissioner is incompetent and showed no seriousness in investigating the case.

    “The car in which Funke Olakunrin was killed, that is the most glaring evidence at the scene of crime, that car was released to the family in few hours. We asked, have you done forensic on this car, they said no. I called Frank Mba Police Headquarters PRO that was when they returned to pick the car for forensics”

    He narrated further that the Police was not ready to conduct an autopsy but retuned for the corpse two days before burial only when he (Odumakin) called Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer the second time.

    “They have not even once in 9 months visited Pa Fasoranti to even say we are investigating. They didn’t come to papa to give him briefing. The man is in agony, he was so sad, he couldn’t sleep at night, to eat was a problem”, Odumakin noted.

     

    On whether there might be connivance between some officers of the Ondo State Police Command and the driver to the late Olakunrin, Odumakin said, “I will not want to prejudice FSARS investigation. They are doing their job I just want them to do it professionally and come out with their report.

    While Odumakin commended the effort of the FSARS for a job the regular police in Ondo State failed to do according to him, he had an advice for the Police Public Relations Officer in the state.“ That PRO called me yesterday (Tuesday) and I told him he should not open his mouth on this matter again and stop embarrassing themselves.”

    However, the Police Command in Ondo State has maintained that no arrest in connection to the killing of Funke Olakunrin was made.

    In a short whatsapp response sent to echotitbits, the Public Relations Officer for the Police command in Ondo State, Tee-leo Ikoro reiterated that “first, there was no arrest. It was a misinterpretation of the favour FSARS needed from Pa Fashonranti. And to say the Command is not doing anything to ensure arrest of culprits is not true”.

    The deceased Funke Olakunrin was murdered in July 2019 when heavily armed men ambushed her and fired at her vehicle between Kajola and Ore along Ondo-Ore road. Olakunrin, who was with a family member, her maid and two other men at the time of the incidence was badly hit by bullets and later died at the hospital.