The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has warned Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives against torture and extra-judicial killings, saying no policeman in the world had the right or authority to kill crime suspects.
He admonished the SARS personnel to always respect the right of every Nigerian, noting that this was the way they could change the negative public perception about them.
Addressing SARS operatives and their commanders from various state at the Force Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja, the IG said:
“You should respect the constitutional right of every Nigerian; you don’t have authority to take lives, you don’t have authority to change a civil case to a criminal case, you don’t have the right to torture suspects."
He said policemen had a lot to do to correct the public perception that they do not follow due process in their operations.
He said the squad would undergo retraining and restructuring, adding that civil society organisations would be involved in the revamping process to contribute to the training programme
He said the squad would undergo retraining and restructuring, adding that civil society organisations would be involved in the revamping process to contribute to the training programme
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IGP Idris stated that the squad would have an intelligence arm to assist with intelligence gathering, stressing that the SARS’ operation would be intelligence-led, henceforth.
According to the IG, the operatives would be issued new badges and placed under Commissioners of Police, while those in Abuja and Lagos would be under the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of operations.
He warned against excessive force and reckless use of firearms, which could cause public panic.
He said, “You should conduct yourself to the admiration of the people. Don’t portray yourself as a demon. SARS is not devilish; you have to change the face of SARS by handling cases justly. Don’t turn the complainant into a criminal. You have to be sincere in dealing with the public.”
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