The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered all operatives of the proscribed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.

The decision of the Inspector General was in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020.

According to the Police statement, the officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties. 

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The statement read: “The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a Unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties. 

“The Unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from amongst psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, Public Relations practitioners, Civil Society and other Human Rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.”

Following the dissolution of the SARS unit, the IGP has set up a new unit named Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, which will replace the Anti-Robbery unit.

The PPRO said that prospective members of SWAT will also undergo a psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.  

“They are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week. While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the Police Commands from the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively,” the Force added.

The Inspector-General of Police also urged the citizens, especially #ENDSARS protesters, to halt protests to enable the implementation of measures put in place by the force to meet the demands of the public.