“He also reiterated that FSARS is created and limited to handling armed robbery and kidnapping cases, and warned them against harassing innocent civilians.”
The Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force, Ibrahim Idris, has warned the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) against the indiscriminate search of mobile phones and laptops of ordinary citizens.
He also stated that FSARS personnel found culpable of illegal detention beyond 48 hours risk dismissal.
Speaking through Amaechi Elumelu, the National Coordinator of X-Squad, at the Anambra State Police Command Headquarters, during a lecture to officers of FSARS, Idris said: “You’re barred from searching handsets and laptops of innocent citizens, unless the search is directly linked to a case or directed by IGP or any person or persons he so delegated.
“Forthwith, any FSARS officer who detains any suspect beyond 48 hours without recourse to the court risks dismissal.
“Operatives of FSARS are to be trained and retrained regularly to equip them with modern working knowledge and skills to perform optimally in line with international best practices.”
He also reiterated that FSARS is created and limited to handling armed robbery and kidnapping cases, and warned them against harassing innocent civilians.
