#EndSARS: Stop creation of SWAT to replace SARS – 36 Governors order IG of Police

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) which comprises of the 36 Governors of the federation, have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Adamu Mohammed to put on hold the creation of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and embark on wider consultation with Nigerians.
The decision 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 while commending the IGP for disbanding SARS, described the creation of the new SWAT team as ill timed, urging 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.
Part of the communiqué reads, “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.”
“The IGP assured governors that he will leverage the provisions of the new Police Act 2020 to carry out extensive reforms within the Police and he pledged for the support, understanding and guidance of governors to embark on the new reforms”
“Members, therefore, expressed concern about the sweeping decision to scrap F-SARS even while acknowledging the need to address its excesses.”
“After deliberation and extensive discussions, the governors were unanimous in their support for the IGP and endorsed his plan to carry out far-reaching reforms geared towards greater effectiveness, accountability and transparency.”
“On the IGP’s plan to create SWAT, governors stated that even though the effort might be necessary and in good faith, they argued that the timing is inauspicious as the mood of the nation negates it and may understandably be misinterpreted as a surreptitious move to dress F-SARS in another garb.”
“Governors agreed that there was the need for greater consultation with the public before any decision is taken.
“Governors advised 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; and that state leadership should meet simultaneously nationwide, to address matters arising”.
“The forum directed its secretariat to work with the police authority to develop a framework for setting up a panel of enquiry across all states to determine claims and compensation.”
“Governors are aware that some states have already started engaging protesters and urged all states that have not commenced the same to invite all stakeholders in the matter to resolve these issues.”