#EndSWAT: Police Say Newly-Formed SWAT Will Not Include Former SARS Officers

Responding to one of the concerns of the protesters over the establishment of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the Nigeria Police has said that the SWAT team will not contain former SARS officers.

The dissolution of the SARS unit has not calmed the protests that continue to rage across the country, as the concern of the abuse of power experienced at the hands of the police force persists.

Officers of the now-dissolved SARS unit have been called to present themselves in Abuja for debriefing and psychological evaluation.

Protesters fear that the newly-formed SWAT unit might have some of the members of the defunct SARS unit, which will lead to a repeat of the human rights abuses perpetrated by the officers.

In a series of tweets by the Force, the newly-formed SWAT unit will only be responsible for responding to robbery attacks, responding "to scenes of weapon-related crimes."

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The spokesman for the force, Frank Mba, said, “Mandate of the new TACTICAL team is strictly restricted to; Response to robbery attacks, Response to scenes of weapon-related crimes, Rescue operations, [and] Special operations involving high profile criminals,” Frank Mba, force public relations officer, said in a tweet.

#NewTacticalTeamMandate pic.twitter.com/JuuxmZqUFE

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 14, 2020

#NewTacticalTeamMandate pic.twitter.com/m2poWNJFmf

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 14, 2020

“No personnel of the defunct SARS will be selected to be part of the new TACTICAL team. Operations of the new TACTICAL team will be strictly intelligence-driven.

“Members of the new TACTICAL team will by no means embark on routine patrols. Members of the new TACTICAL team are barred from indiscriminate and unlawful search of phones, laptops and other smart devices.

“Operatives of the new TACTICAL team must be free of any pending disciplinary matter especially those touching on misuse of firearms and abuse of human rights.”