Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits have attacked two communities in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to Katsina Post, the communities attacked are Tsauwa and Gandu.
File Photo: Gunmenmiddleeastpress
The newspaper reported that no fewer than nine persons have been killed by the bandits while numerous others were left injured and many more kidnapped.
Recall that Tsauwa Village was ransacked by bandits months ago in a revenge attack.
Killings and kidnapping for ransom have continued in Katsina despite security reinforcement in the state.
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After being taken hostage by the so-called Islamic State in 2013, no one knows for certain what happened to American aid worker Kayla Mueller.
Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), living in South Africa, have urged the Israeli government and the United Nations to put pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the persecution of their members in Nigeria.
In a statement sent to SaharaReporters on Saturday, they complained that the Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested people for listening to Radio Biafra, an online radio station created by the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
File Photo: IPOB members
They appealed to both the Israeli and UN government to force Nigeria to drop all charges against Kanu and release all their members in Nigerian prisons.
Part of the statement read: "IPOB South Africa is urging the Israeli Embassy and the United Nations to uphold Its charter on indigenous peoples rights of self-determination and freedom, by compelling President Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria not only to release all Biafrans held in secret locations but also to tread with the utmost restraint and caution when dealing with those that are agitating for Biafra.
"We are calling on the Israeli Embassy also to see to the question of savagery, brutality, blatant disregard to the rule of law and undemocratic ruling of Muhammadu Buhari, and to see to it that, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will peacefully restore Biafra as a Sovereign State."
According to the statement signed by the coordinator of IPOB members in South Africa, Ogechukwu Isu, "they – Biafrans are not fearful of the prospect of a second civil war. They are not prepared to settle for crumbs, and neither do they fear death, conflict, defeat, incarceration, butchery or persecution. Biafrans determined to restore Biafra.
"They are imbued with a spirit that cannot be suppressed and the more they cry "Biafra", the more the spirits of the millions that were slaughtered on the Biafran side during the Biafra/Nigeria war, are invoked. The more they cry "Biafra", the more the souls of the hundreds of thousands of their people butchered during the barbaric pogroms in the North and Lagos in the mid-60s and after that, are remembered.
"The more they cry "Biafra", the more they remember how their fathers were stripped of everything after the Biafra/Nigeria war, and how they have been denied the opportunity to rise to the highest office in the land. The more they cry "Biafra", the more they acknowledge and recognise the bitter fact that the Buhari administration regards their kith and kin as nothing more than third-class citizens and unfortunate prisoners of war. The worst thing that the Nigerian authorities can do is to treat us with levity or contempt."
In the statement, IPOB members argued that those seeking the actualisation of an independent state of Biafra have the fundamental right to self-determination and should never be maltreated by the Nigerian armed forces.
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Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), living in South Africa, have urged the Israeli government and the United Nations to put pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the persecution of their members in Nigeria.
In a statement sent to SaharaReporters on Saturday, they complained that the Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested people for listening to Radio Biafra, an online radio station created by the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
File Photo: IPOB members
They appealed to both the Israeli and UN government to force Nigeria to drop all charges against Kanu and release all their members in Nigerian prisons.
Part of the statement read: "IPOB South Africa is urging the Israeli Embassy and the United Nations to uphold Its charter on indigenous peoples rights of self-determination and freedom, by compelling President Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria not only to release all Biafrans held in secret locations but also to tread with the utmost restraint and caution when dealing with those that are agitating for Biafra.
"We are calling on the Israeli Embassy also to see to the question of savagery, brutality, blatant disregard to the rule of law and undemocratic ruling of Muhammadu Buhari, and to see to it that, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will peacefully restore Biafra as a Sovereign State."
According to the statement signed by the coordinator of IPOB members in South Africa, Ogechukwu Isu, "they – Biafrans are not fearful of the prospect of a second civil war. They are not prepared to settle for crumbs, and neither do they fear death, conflict, defeat, incarceration, butchery or persecution. Biafrans determined to restore Biafra.
"They are imbued with a spirit that cannot be suppressed and the more they cry "Biafra", the more the spirits of the millions that were slaughtered on the Biafran side during the Biafra/Nigeria war, are invoked. The more they cry "Biafra", the more the souls of the hundreds of thousands of their people butchered during the barbaric pogroms in the North and Lagos in the mid-60s and after that, are remembered.
"The more they cry "Biafra", the more they remember how their fathers were stripped of everything after the Biafra/Nigeria war, and how they have been denied the opportunity to rise to the highest office in the land. The more they cry "Biafra", the more they acknowledge and recognise the bitter fact that the Buhari administration regards their kith and kin as nothing more than third-class citizens and unfortunate prisoners of war. The worst thing that the Nigerian authorities can do is to treat us with levity or contempt."
In the statement, IPOB members argued that those seeking the actualisation of an independent state of Biafra have the fundamental right to self-determination and should never be maltreated by the Nigerian armed forces.
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Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), living in South Africa, have urged the Israeli government and the United Nations to put pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the persecution of their members in Nigeria.
In a statement sent to SaharaReporters on Saturday, they complained that the Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested people for listening to Radio Biafra, an online radio station created by the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
File Photo: IPOB members
They appealed to both the Israeli and UN government to force Nigeria to drop all charges against Kanu and release all their members in Nigerian prisons.
Part of the statement read: "IPOB South Africa is urging the Israeli Embassy and the United Nations to uphold Its charter on indigenous peoples rights of self-determination and freedom, by compelling President Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria not only to release all Biafrans held in secret locations but also to tread with the utmost restraint and caution when dealing with those that are agitating for Biafra.
"We are calling on the Israeli Embassy also to see to the question of savagery, brutality, blatant disregard to the rule of law and undemocratic ruling of Muhammadu Buhari, and to see to it that, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will peacefully restore Biafra as a Sovereign State."
According to the statement signed by the coordinator of IPOB members in South Africa, Ogechukwu Isu, "they – Biafrans are not fearful of the prospect of a second civil war. They are not prepared to settle for crumbs, and neither do they fear death, conflict, defeat, incarceration, butchery or persecution. Biafrans determined to restore Biafra.
"They are imbued with a spirit that cannot be suppressed and the more they cry "Biafra", the more the spirits of the millions that were slaughtered on the Biafran side during the Biafra/Nigeria war, are invoked. The more they cry "Biafra", the more the souls of the hundreds of thousands of their people butchered during the barbaric pogroms in the North and Lagos in the mid-60s and after that, are remembered.
"The more they cry "Biafra", the more they remember how their fathers were stripped of everything after the Biafra/Nigeria war, and how they have been denied the opportunity to rise to the highest office in the land. The more they cry "Biafra", the more they acknowledge and recognise the bitter fact that the Buhari administration regards their kith and kin as nothing more than third-class citizens and unfortunate prisoners of war. The worst thing that the Nigerian authorities can do is to treat us with levity or contempt."
In the statement, IPOB members argued that those seeking the actualisation of an independent state of Biafra have the fundamental right to self-determination and should never be maltreated by the Nigerian armed forces.
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Colonel Sean Conley, personal physician to United States President, Donald Trump, has said that he experienced two episodes of blood-oxygen drops and was administered a steroid, Dexamethasone, as well as oxygen as part of his treatment.
Trump and his wife, Melania, tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.
He has since been admitted at the Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Wahington DC.
Conley while updating journalists on Sunday on President Trump’s health, said he had continued to improve but also noted that “frequent up’s and downs” in his recovery.
He said, "Over the course of his illness, the President has experienced two episodes of transient drops in his oxygen saturation. We debated the reasons for this, and whether we'd even intervene.”
Dr Brian Garibaldi, who is part of President Trump's medical team, while also speaking at the briefing, expressed hope that Trump may be discharged as early as Monday to return to the White House.
He said, "He has been up and around. Our plan today is to have him eat and drink, be up out of bed.
"If he continues to look and feel as well as he does today our hope is to plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the white house where he can continue his treatment course."
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Colonel Sean Conley, personal physician to United States President, Donald Trump, has said that he experienced two episodes of blood-oxygen drops and was administered a steroid, Dexamethasone, as well as oxygen as part of his treatment.
Trump and his wife, Melania, tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.
He has since been admitted at the Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Wahington DC.
Conley while updating journalists on Sunday on President Trump’s health, said he had continued to improve but also noted that “frequent up’s and downs” in his recovery.
He said, "Over the course of his illness, the President has experienced two episodes of transient drops in his oxygen saturation. We debated the reasons for this, and whether we'd even intervene.”
Dr Brian Garibaldi, who is part of President Trump's medical team, while also speaking at the briefing, expressed hope that Trump may be discharged as early as Monday to return to the White House.
He said, "He has been up and around. Our plan today is to have him eat and drink, be up out of bed.
"If he continues to look and feel as well as he does today our hope is to plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the white house where he can continue his treatment course."
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Following a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has fingered a federal lawmaker from the state, Hon. Omolafe Adedayo, as the cause of the violent clash.
Omolafe, popularly known as "expensive", is the lawmaker representing Akure South/Akure North Constituency of Ondo State at the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker is also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Both supporters of the APC and PDP had on Saturday and Sunday clashed at the popular Oba Nla area of the state, sending panic across the state.
Speaking on Sunday in a statement by spokesperson for his campaign organisation, Olabode Richard Olatunde, Akeredolu said the latest attack, thuggery, and wanton violence by the PDP was the height of insensitivity.
He said, "The thugs launched attacks on anyone seen with APC branded items like clothes and caps, as well as taxi drivers with Akeredolu stickers on their vehicles at Obanle in Akure last night.
"The Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation is shocked by this latest reign of violence, wherein some PDP leaders, in a brazen display of wickedness and barbarism, supervised attacks on members and supporters of APC at the Obanla junction in Akure metropolis.
"We note that Oba-nla junction is the political base of some PDP chieftains, like the member of House of Representatives, representing Akure South/Akure North Constituency, Adedayo Omolafe, popularly called Expensive.
Omolafe Adedayo
"Therefore, the source of this latest wave of thuggery and violence should not be far-fetched.
"We know that the popularity of the APC candidate, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has become a source of worry to the PDP.
"But rather than seeking legitimate means to shore up support, the party is bent on decimating the overwhelming and massive support that the APC is enjoying across the state, ahead of Saturday's governorship election.
"It is unfortunate that the PDP continues to move on this path of perdition despite several appeals. Our charge to security agents to stop the party from turning our dear state into a theatre of war in the name of election suffices and shall be sustained. This is to underscore our resolve not to seek self-help as we inch towards the election day."
But in his own reaction, Mr Omolafe accused Governor Akeredolu of turning the truth upside down concerning the violent attack in the state capital.
Omolafe in a statement by his aide on Public Affairs, Mr Kehinde Omoniyi, said the governor was also trying to exonerate himself and the thugs of the APC led by Chairman of the National Road Transport, Jacob Idabo, best known as "Idaho" from the mayhem.
He said, "The said attacks and sporadic shootings at Obanla, Odopetu and other hot spots in Akure were carried out in the full glare of bewildered members of the public by some notable thugs of the ruling All progressives Congress with the active involvement of Mr Adebo Idajo- Ondo State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers.
"In recent days, it has become a source of concern in Ondo State, the brazen destructions, shootings and killings at the behest of the ruling APC, obviously as a result of its decline popularity and fear of rejection at the polls by our conscious electorate.
"The outgoing government has resorted to different forms of braggadocio and lawlessness to disturb the hitherto peaceful coexistence of all the decent inhabitants of our dear state.
"Our Principal, Hon. Omolafe Adedayo, who at different fora, always preaches peace and decency in all his campaigns and would not encourage, covertly or overtly rascality among party members to gain undue electoral advantage for our highly favored governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, who is poised to win, according to the popular demand, this week Saturday's gubernatorial election."
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Following a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has fingered a federal lawmaker from the state, Hon. Omolafe Adedayo, as the cause of the violent clash.
Omolafe, popularly known as "expensive", is the lawmaker representing Akure South/Akure North Constituency of Ondo State at the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker is also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Both supporters of the APC and PDP had on Saturday and Sunday clashed at the popular Oba Nla area of the state, sending panic across the state.
Speaking on Sunday in a statement by spokesperson for his campaign organisation, Olabode Richard Olatunde, Akeredolu said the latest attack, thuggery, and wanton violence by the PDP was the height of insensitivity.
He said, "The thugs launched attacks on anyone seen with APC branded items like clothes and caps, as well as taxi drivers with Akeredolu stickers on their vehicles at Obanle in Akure last night.
"The Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation is shocked by this latest reign of violence, wherein some PDP leaders, in a brazen display of wickedness and barbarism, supervised attacks on members and supporters of APC at the Obanla junction in Akure metropolis.
"We note that Oba-nla junction is the political base of some PDP chieftains, like the member of House of Representatives, representing Akure South/Akure North Constituency, Adedayo Omolafe, popularly called Expensive.
Omolafe Adedayo
"Therefore, the source of this latest wave of thuggery and violence should not be far-fetched.
"We know that the popularity of the APC candidate, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has become a source of worry to the PDP.
"But rather than seeking legitimate means to shore up support, the party is bent on decimating the overwhelming and massive support that the APC is enjoying across the state, ahead of Saturday's governorship election.
"It is unfortunate that the PDP continues to move on this path of perdition despite several appeals. Our charge to security agents to stop the party from turning our dear state into a theatre of war in the name of election suffices and shall be sustained. This is to underscore our resolve not to seek self-help as we inch towards the election day."
But in his own reaction, Mr Omolafe accused Governor Akeredolu of turning the truth upside down concerning the violent attack in the state capital.
Omolafe in a statement by his aide on Public Affairs, Mr Kehinde Omoniyi, said the governor was also trying to exonerate himself and the thugs of the APC led by Chairman of the National Road Transport, Jacob Idabo, best known as "Idaho" from the mayhem.
He said, "The said attacks and sporadic shootings at Obanla, Odopetu and other hot spots in Akure were carried out in the full glare of bewildered members of the public by some notable thugs of the ruling All progressives Congress with the active involvement of Mr Adebo Idajo- Ondo State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers.
"In recent days, it has become a source of concern in Ondo State, the brazen destructions, shootings and killings at the behest of the ruling APC, obviously as a result of its decline popularity and fear of rejection at the polls by our conscious electorate.
"The outgoing government has resorted to different forms of braggadocio and lawlessness to disturb the hitherto peaceful coexistence of all the decent inhabitants of our dear state.
"Our Principal, Hon. Omolafe Adedayo, who at different fora, always preaches peace and decency in all his campaigns and would not encourage, covertly or overtly rascality among party members to gain undue electoral advantage for our highly favored governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, who is poised to win, according to the popular demand, this week Saturday's gubernatorial election."
PoliticsNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
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Following a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has fingered a federal lawmaker from the state, Hon. Omolafe Adedayo, as the cause of the violent clash.
Omolafe, popularly known as "expensive", is the lawmaker representing Akure South/Akure North Constituency of Ondo State at the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker is also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Both supporters of the APC and PDP had on Saturday and Sunday clashed at the popular Oba Nla area of the state, sending panic across the state.
Speaking on Sunday in a statement by spokesperson for his campaign organisation, Olabode Richard Olatunde, Akeredolu said the latest attack, thuggery, and wanton violence by the PDP was the height of insensitivity.
He said, "The thugs launched attacks on anyone seen with APC branded items like clothes and caps, as well as taxi drivers with Akeredolu stickers on their vehicles at Obanle in Akure last night.
"The Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation is shocked by this latest reign of violence, wherein some PDP leaders, in a brazen display of wickedness and barbarism, supervised attacks on members and supporters of APC at the Obanla junction in Akure metropolis.
"We note that Oba-nla junction is the political base of some PDP chieftains, like the member of House of Representatives, representing Akure South/Akure North Constituency, Adedayo Omolafe, popularly called Expensive.
Omolafe Adedayo
"Therefore, the source of this latest wave of thuggery and violence should not be far-fetched.
"We know that the popularity of the APC candidate, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has become a source of worry to the PDP.
"But rather than seeking legitimate means to shore up support, the party is bent on decimating the overwhelming and massive support that the APC is enjoying across the state, ahead of Saturday's governorship election.
"It is unfortunate that the PDP continues to move on this path of perdition despite several appeals. Our charge to security agents to stop the party from turning our dear state into a theatre of war in the name of election suffices and shall be sustained. This is to underscore our resolve not to seek self-help as we inch towards the election day."
But in his own reaction, Mr Omolafe accused Governor Akeredolu of turning the truth upside down concerning the violent attack in the state capital.
Omolafe in a statement by his aide on Public Affairs, Mr Kehinde Omoniyi, said the governor was also trying to exonerate himself and the thugs of the APC led by Chairman of the National Road Transport, Jacob Idabo, best known as "Idaho" from the mayhem.
He said, "The said attacks and sporadic shootings at Obanla, Odopetu and other hot spots in Akure were carried out in the full glare of bewildered members of the public by some notable thugs of the ruling All progressives Congress with the active involvement of Mr Adebo Idajo- Ondo State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers.
"In recent days, it has become a source of concern in Ondo State, the brazen destructions, shootings and killings at the behest of the ruling APC, obviously as a result of its decline popularity and fear of rejection at the polls by our conscious electorate.
"The outgoing government has resorted to different forms of braggadocio and lawlessness to disturb the hitherto peaceful coexistence of all the decent inhabitants of our dear state.
"Our Principal, Hon. Omolafe Adedayo, who at different fora, always preaches peace and decency in all his campaigns and would not encourage, covertly or overtly rascality among party members to gain undue electoral advantage for our highly favored governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, who is poised to win, according to the popular demand, this week Saturday's gubernatorial election."
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A jealous housewife in Diso village, Gwale Local Government area of Kano State, Hauwa Aminu, has allegedly killed two of her children over rivalry and because her husband, one Ibrahim Haruna Aminu, married a second wife.
The woman, it was gathered, stabbed the children many times until they stopped breathing.
The incident happened while the husband was staying with his new wife in another house.
A family source said Hauwa had been living with envy and jealousy ever since Aminu married another wife, leading to her killing her own children.
Spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the incident.
He said the command was already investigating the situation.
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A jealous housewife in Diso village, Gwale Local Government area of Kano State, Hauwa Aminu, has allegedly killed two of her children over rivalry and because her husband, one Ibrahim Haruna Aminu, married a second wife.
The woman, it was gathered, stabbed the children many times until they stopped breathing.
The incident happened while the husband was staying with his new wife in another house.
A family source said Hauwa had been living with envy and jealousy ever since Aminu married another wife, leading to her killing her own children.
Spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the incident.
He said the command was already investigating the situation.
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Nigerians are calling for nationwide protests after the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, stopped officers attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other tactical squads from routine patrol as well as stop-and-search.
The ban follows public outcry over extra-judicial killings of young people in the country by officers, who label them as criminals without following due process.
Some Nigerians on Twitter, however, insisted that the ban was a ruse by the Nigeria Police Force to quell public outrage, which escalated on Sunday.
Folarin Falana, popular musician and son of rights lawyer, Femi Falana, declared in a series of tweets that he was ready to protest in the streets until the killings end.
Makes me sick to my stomach that till now, we are still waiting for a single word from our so called “president†on this SARS menace.
Wizkid asked Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene in the matter.
Mr Governor! I met with you December 2019! You expressed how proud you
are of the entertainment industry and all we do. Pls do something let’s be proud of you too abeg ! #Endsars!! https://t.co/PZoxsSIx5D
Rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, asked Nigerians to converge at the police headquarters in Lagos and Abuja for protests until the government heeded the cry of the people.
Locations: @PoliceNG state headquarters in Lagos. Lagos has the most brutal longest-running killer #SARS in Nigeria@PoliceNG Force Headquarters in Abuja and all State Police Hqs will by fully #Occupy until SARS is disbanded and totally dismantled! #RevolutionNow@AmnestyNigeria
Nigerians are calling for nationwide protests after the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, stopped officers attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other tactical squads from routine patrol as well as stop-and-search.
The ban follows public outcry over extra-judicial killings of young people in the country by officers, who label them as criminals without following due process.
Some Nigerians on Twitter, however, insisted that the ban was a ruse by the Nigeria Police Force to quell public outrage, which escalated on Sunday.
Folarin Falana, popular musician and son of rights lawyer, Femi Falana, declared in a series of tweets that he was ready to protest in the streets until the killings end.
Makes me sick to my stomach that till now, we are still waiting for a single word from our so called “president†on this SARS menace.
Wizkid asked Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene in the matter.
Mr Governor! I met with you December 2019! You expressed how proud you
are of the entertainment industry and all we do. Pls do something let’s be proud of you too abeg ! #Endsars!! https://t.co/PZoxsSIx5D
Rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, asked Nigerians to converge at the police headquarters in Lagos and Abuja for protests until the government heeded the cry of the people.
Locations: @PoliceNG state headquarters in Lagos. Lagos has the most brutal longest-running killer #SARS in Nigeria@PoliceNG Force Headquarters in Abuja and all State Police Hqs will by fully #Occupy until SARS is disbanded and totally dismantled! #RevolutionNow@AmnestyNigeria
Reacting to the outcry, the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, in a statement on Sunday banned the unit from engaging in routine patrol at the federal, zonal and command levels.
The statement reads: "The Inspector-General of Police, M.A Adamu, has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force including the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect. In addition, no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti. They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear. The IGP’s directives come against the backdrop of findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads hide under these guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.
"Specifically, the IGP has warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices. They are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.
"The IGP notes that the FSARS and other Police Tactical Squads remain a critical component of the Force in confronting prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country. He however condemns every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads. He has therefore ordered the X-Squad and the Monitoring Unit to embark on immediate and massive nationwide monitoring of activities of Tactical Squads and other police officers on the road. They are to ensure prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all erring police officers who violate these directives and other extant regulations of the Force.
"The IGP has equally warned, that henceforth, the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS, Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands and the FCT as well as their supervisory Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, will be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR). He therefore charged them to ensure effective supervision and mentoring of the personnel of the Tactical Squads under their jurisdiction.
"Meanwhile, two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, INSPR Sale James, INSPR Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens. The operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.
"The IGP reaffirms his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians, a reformed Police Force that is accountable, responsible and ever ready to defend and uphold the rights of the citizens while discharging its duties of keeping the people safe and secure. He enjoins the citizens not to allow the misconduct by a few personnel of the Force to negatively impact on their belief, confidence and trust in the police."
Reacting to the outcry, the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, in a statement on Sunday banned the unit from engaging in routine patrol at the federal, zonal and command levels.
The statement reads: "The Inspector-General of Police, M.A Adamu, has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force including the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect. In addition, no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti. They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear. The IGP’s directives come against the backdrop of findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads hide under these guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.
"Specifically, the IGP has warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices. They are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.
"The IGP notes that the FSARS and other Police Tactical Squads remain a critical component of the Force in confronting prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country. He however condemns every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads. He has therefore ordered the X-Squad and the Monitoring Unit to embark on immediate and massive nationwide monitoring of activities of Tactical Squads and other police officers on the road. They are to ensure prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all erring police officers who violate these directives and other extant regulations of the Force.
"The IGP has equally warned, that henceforth, the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS, Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands and the FCT as well as their supervisory Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, will be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR). He therefore charged them to ensure effective supervision and mentoring of the personnel of the Tactical Squads under their jurisdiction.
"Meanwhile, two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, INSPR Sale James, INSPR Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens. The operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.
"The IGP reaffirms his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians, a reformed Police Force that is accountable, responsible and ever ready to defend and uphold the rights of the citizens while discharging its duties of keeping the people safe and secure. He enjoins the citizens not to allow the misconduct by a few personnel of the Force to negatively impact on their belief, confidence and trust in the police."
