The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu, has warned operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) not to parade themselves as members of the newly formed Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).
Odumosu gave this warning on Wednesday while debriefing the SARS operatives, Anti Kidnapping Squad, Anti Cultism Squad and Raider in Lagos State at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.
The debriefing was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni, to disband and ground the activities of the teams in the state; and their operations, investigations and pending cases be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, with immediate effect.
The police boss seized the opportunity to inform them officially of the formation of the new Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) to tackle armed robbery, kidnapping, violent and other weapon related crimes in the country, which is applicable to Lagos State.
The Commissioner of Police however appealed to the general public to inform and report to the command of any activities or misconduct of any police personnel claiming to be SARS operative in the state or venturing into opening or investigating cases under the SARS or any of the disbanded tactical teams in Lagos State.
He further appealed to protesters to be law-abiding, maintain peace and respect the rights and opinions of other Lagosians and by extension, Nigerians, in the state; emphasising on the blockage of access roads to other Nigerians as unnecessary.
