#EndSARS: Governors tell IGP to halt creation of SWAT, call for review of police remuneration
The 36 state governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Adamu Mohammed Adamu to put on hold the creation of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and embark on wider consultation with Nigerians.
The resolution was contained in the communiqué issued after the meeting held with the IGP at the end of the NGF’s 19th teleconference meeting chaired by its chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
The governors who endorsed the ongoing plan to carry out far-reaching reforms geared towards greater effectiveness, accountability and transparency, however, described the creation of SWAT as ill-timed.
To this end, they urged the IGP to immediately convene a meeting of all stakeholders and agree on a format of engagement with all state officials in order to address concerns, adding that the state leadership should meet simultaneously nationwide, to address matters arising.
The communiqué read: “We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, 14th October 2020, deliberated on a number of issues affecting the country particularly the nationwide protests, riots and demonstrations against the activities of officials of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Nigerian Police.
“The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Adamu Mohammed Adamu, briefed the Forum on protests against SARS which technically started since 2017. This would be the first time that the government is disbanding the unit.
“Following its dissolution, a new, strictly intelligence-driven Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, will be constituted to carry out tactical operations across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.
“The IGP informed the Forum that after a psychological and medical evaluation, SWAT Officers will be trained and posted to all State Commands – about 50 per state, where they will operate only on intelligence-driven operation.
“They will not take part in routine operations but will operate specifically on intelligence after which they will return to their Commands.
