The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a wholistic overhauling of the Intelligence Response Team IRT, the Special Tactical Squad, STS, and the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) Units.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Monday, 8 August, said that the order by the Police Chief was to ensure that their operations were in tandem with the purpose for their creation in line with the mandate of the IGP’s administration and public safety.
TheFact notes that the order wass consequent upon IGP Baba’s expression of grave disappointment at the reports of brutality and extortion leveled against some police officers via various complaint channels available to the public, particularly on social media platforms.
As a result, he charged all supervising Commissioners of Police and Tactical/Strategic Commanders to ensure strict supervision of their personnel, warning that further incidences of this nature would be viewed strictly.
According to Adejobi, the IGP further directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau (AIG-FIB) to carry out supervisory role over the three units to ensure their operations were professional, active and productive and do not infringe on the fundamental rights of the citizenry, and other members of the public.
Adejobi further disclosed that the Force had dismissed PC Liyomo Okoi, attached to Ekori Divisional Headquarters, Cross Rivers Police Command, for gross misconduct. Okoi was captured in a viral video on Sunday, 31st July, 2022 beating a man with a machete. His dismissal took effect from Monday 8th of August, 2022.
“The IGP expressed confidence that the current overhauling will improve the effectiveness of the units, and rid them of negative elements who deviate from the standard operating procedure of the Units, and the Nigeria Police Force in general”, Adejobi stated.
