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CP Edgal sets up 11-man Committee to restructure SARS, Anti-Kidnapping

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9 years ago

October 5, 2017

By IFEOMA Ikem

Lagos State Commissioner of police, CP Imohimi Edgal has inaugurated a committee to restructure the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Anti-Kidnapping and Cultism of the Lagos State Police Command.

Edgal, who described the units as very important in crime fighting, observed that their reorganization would help to achieve his success in Lagos State.

He said the need to restructure the units was in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police that all police investigating units should be restructured to discharge their duties in line with international best practices and standards of policing.

The committee is saddled with the responsibility, among other terms of reference, to look into the present and past activities of SARS, Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism unit and recommend ways to make the units more efficient and professional.

In his words, Edgal said, “I hereby constitute a panel to look into the operations of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Lagos State Police Command,” he said.

The 11-man Committee is headed by a retired Commissioner of police, CP Samuel Agbebuyi, with the President of Crime Reporters Association (CRAN), Mr Odita Sunday as member.

Other members are DCP Bolaji Salami of the State Criminal Intelligent Investigation Department (SCIID) as the Vice-Chairman, ACP Abiodun Alamutu and ACP Olatunji Disu, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) commander.

Others are: CSP Effiong Asuquo (O/C Legal) serves as committee secretary, CSP Adebola Ojugbele, CSP Sanusi Mohammed (O/C SARS), CSP Anthony Okosun (O/C Anti-Kidnapping), SP Kehinde Johnson-Oni (O/C Anti-Cultism and Barrister Stanley Imhanruor from Femi Falana Chambers as a member.

Imohimi urged them to look into all allegations of human rights abuses against officers and men of the units and give recommendations to prevent reoccurrence.

He also requested them to profile personnel currently posted to the units and determine their suitability to continue in the unit.

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Edgal continued, “Also, the committee is to make recommendations and suggestions for immediate training of officers and men of the units on principles and tenets of fundamental human rights and rule of law.

“The recommendations of the committee is aimed at stopping worrisome issues like investigation of civil matters, torture, illegal detentions, safety and custody of exhibits, welfare of suspects and molestation,” he said.

The CP noted that the committee has two weeks to submit its reports and members of the public can submit memoranda to the panel through the secretary.

Memorandum can be sent through [email protected], [email protected], through WhatsApp on 08033011644, 08033108820 and 08125151772 or to the nearest Area Commands and Divisional Police Stations.

Agbebuyi, the chairman of the committee, however, commended the CP for what he described as innovative and proactive idea.

“I am assuring the people of Lagos and Nigerians at large that we would not disappoint them.

“I pray that the almighty God would give us the strength and wisdom to put on ground recommendations that would be forever relevant and copied by other states,” Adegbuyi assured.