IGP orders all defunct SARS personnel to report at the Force Headquarters for debriefing, psychological, medical examination

• New Tactical Team to Commence Training Next Week 

The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS on Tuesday to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for debriefing, psychological and medical examination. Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DCP Frank Mba, in a statement in Abuja explained that the officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

According to Mba, “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.”

Mba disclosed that the IGP has set up a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team that will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS. He said that prospective members of the new team will also undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

Mba highlighted: “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.”

He maintained that while reaffirming his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the Police reforms, the IGP enjoined members of the public, particularly, protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a Police Force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.