I'll reorganise SARS, says new IGP

In what many see as a condemna­tion of the efforts of the outgoing Inspector General of Police, Solo­mon Arase, the Acting IGP, Ibrahim Idris, has expressed concern over what he described as the increasing cases of crime and criminality in most communities in Nigeria.

To address this, the Acting IGP revealed that his administration will, in the next few days reorganise and re­structure the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in all the states commands across the country.

Idris stated this when taking over the mantle of leadership as the 19th Inspector General of Police, in Abuja, yester­day.

He took over from Solomon Arase who re­tired from active service following the attain­ment of the retirement age of 60 years.

Idris further noted that his management team will establish criminal data base in all police divisions across the country.

According to him, “Violent criminality is gradually taking over our streets, neigbour­hoods and communi­ties. In order to address these ugly challenges, the Special Anti Rob­bery Squads in the State commands will be re­structured, reorganised and made more robust to reverse these ugly trends in our communi­ties.

“The personnel de­ployed to these squads will be trained, re­trained and motivated accordingly to perform their duties.

He further noted that: “Effective criminal data­base in police divisions will enhance the police capacity for effective in­vestigation of criminal cases in Nigeria. This ad­ministration will estab­lish database in all police formations.”

The acting IGP further said that he will establish what he christened ‘Joint Operation Centres’ in police commands across the country.