The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has reiterated his warning to men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) to adhere to strict instructions to concentrate on their primary responsibility of combating armed robbery and kidnapping crimes.
IGP Idris made this known while addressing FSARS men in Awka, the Anambra State Capital on Wednesday.
The police boss, who was represented by national coordinator of X-Squad, DCP Amaechi Elumelu, said that the police would no longer condone any excesses that led to the reforms ordered by the presidency.
Specifically, he warned the men against detaining any suspect beyond 48 hours without obtaining a valid court order or they would be dismissed from the force.
Also, he charged the men to avoid searching phones and laptops indiscriminately.
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“You are created and authorised to handle only armed robbery and kidnapping cases.
“You are barred from searching handsets and laptops of innocent citizens, unless the search is directly linked to a case or directed by IGP or any person or persons he so delegated.
“You are also prohibited from detaining any suspect beyond what the law says without recourse to court order,” the police boss warned.
IGP Idris explained that membership of the FSARS remained voluntary and any member of the squad that could not cope with the reforms was free to redeploy from the squad.
He said that police authorities remained committed to their responsibility of training and retraining the FSARS men on modern techniques and knowledge in conformity with global standards of anti-robbery operations.
The police boss said that under newly-introduced rule of engagement for reformed FSARS, members of the squad would undergo medical examinations, especially mental and psychological tests, while a counseling department had been established in the squad.
IGP Idris further disclosed that a custody management system had been introduced for the squad for purposes of documentation and access to information about suspects.