MOHAMMED Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police, says the training of selected officers of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team would commence on Monday, October 19, 2020.
The IGP had last Sunday announced the disbandment of the Special Ant-Robbery Squad (SARS) following protests by Nigerian youths demanding an end to police brutality.
He also revealed the requirements of officers to be trained in the new police tactical team to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The IGP who made this known on Sunday in a statement by Frank Mba, the Police Spokesperson, stated that no ex-SARS operatives were shortlisted in the SWAT team. The statement was titled, ‘NPF New Tactical Team Commences Training Monday Oct 19’.
Adamu also explained that “the officers selected for the training are young, smart and energetic officers who have acquired not less than seven years working experience with clean service records – no pending disciplinary matters, no record of violation of rights of citizens or misuse of firearms – and are physically fit to withstand the rigour of SWAT Training and Operations.
“The selected officers shall be subjected to the physical fitness test, medical and toxicology screening, etc and those found to be unsuitable shall be discharged.”
Adamu promised Nigerians that the SWAT team “will operate within very high professional and ethical standards, rule of law and dictates of best international policing practices.”
He also disclosed that to ensure adequate training and screening of SWAT operatives, the Nigeria Police Force has partnered with the International Committee of the Red Cross and other development partners for the training which begins tomorrow at the Police Mobile Force Training School, Ila Oragun, Osun State and the PMF Training School, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State.
He said the ICRC “will handle topics touching on humanitarian laws, police conduct in conflict situation, human rights standard especially in the use of force and firearms, arrest and detention amongst others.
