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IGP bans FSARS from stop-and-search patrol

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3 years ago

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– Atiku, Saraki, others knock SARS, demand urgent reform

Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force has come under heavy attack again as many Nigerians including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki have called for an immediate reform of the unit or scrap it.

This followed a reported shooting of a young man in Ughelli, Delta state, whose video went viral on Saturday. The victim suspected to be a Yahoo boy was said to have been left on the road to die after his vehicle was taken away.

This came as the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has banned operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force from routine patrols nationwide.

Celebrities such as Femi Kuti and Kate Henshaw as well as ordinary Nigerians twitting under #EndSARS also condemned other extrajudicial killings by the group.

Atiku said SARS had lost focus and continued to terrorise the people they were meant to protect.

In a series of tweets, the ex-VP said, “The Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit of the @PoliceNG was set up to confront violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping and other related crimes.

“However, the unit has today morphed into an oppressor of the Nigerian masses who strive every day for a better life.

“Reports of intimidation, harassment and outright extortion by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad have continued unabated.

“I strongly condemn their cruel actions against our people, and I urge the government to rise to the occasion and nip this monstrosity in the bud with the seriousness it deserves.

“It is expedient that the activities of SARS are reviewed to ensure that the rogue elements are excised from the unit and sanity returned to its operations.”

Also commenting on the issue, Saraki tweeted, “The reports of the continued harassment, illegal arrest, detention and high handedness by rogue cells of the SARS Unit of @PoliceNG against innocent Nigerians – most of them young people – in spite of efforts to reform the Police & raise standards of policing, are disheartening.

“A situation where the officers of @PoliceNG become a threat to the lives and property of the very citizens they swore to protect is condemnable and unacceptable.

“I call on the Federal Government to immediately put a stop to these reprehensible activities and restructure the unit to better perform its lawful duties of safe guarding the lives and property of the Nigerian people.

A popular musician, Femi Kuti, said, “How many more innocent people must SARS/the police kill before urgent steps are taken to completely overhaul and reform the entire police force? Obviously government and their families are safe must be why they are nonchalant and indifferent.”

Renowned actress Kate Henshaw, stated, “Until SARS kills one of their own…..then and only then will they care…”

Meanwhile, in a statement announcing the IGP ban on patrol by (F)SARS and other related groups, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, said on Sunday that no personnel of the Force was authorised to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti.

He stated, “They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear. The IGP’s directives come against the backdrop of findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads hide under this guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.

“Specifically, the IGP has warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.

“They are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.

“The IGP notes that the FSARS and other Police Tactical Squads remain a critical component of the Force in confronting prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country.

“He however condemns every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads.

“He has therefore ordered the X-Squad and the Monitoring Unit to embark on immediate and massive nationwide monitoring of activities of Tactical Squads and other police officers.”

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Why there is Naira notes scarcity – CBN

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36 mins ago

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December 10, 2023

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Why there is Naira notes scarcity – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria says the seeming Naira notes scarcity in the country is caused by large volume of withdrawals of cash from various CBN branches by Deposit Money Banks.

The apex bank, which disclosed this amidst
complaints by some Nigerians about scarcity of Naira notes, said there is adequate supply of the currency.

Newstrends reports that many bank customers have raised concerns on scarcity of Naira notes at the counters, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) Points of Sale (PoS), and Bureaux de Change (BDCs).

Some officials of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) also claimed that the DMBs were not getting adequate supply of cash from the CBN.

But, according to a statement issued by the Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, there is no shortage of Naira notes, as there is adequate supply of the currency in the economy.

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It said that panic withdrawals by bank customers was also partly responsible for the seeming scarcity.

“The attention of the CBN has been drawn to reports of alleged scarcity of cash at banks, ATMs, PoS and BDCs in some major cities across the country.

“Our findings reveal that the seeming cash scarcity in some locations is due largely to high volume withdrawals from the CBN branches by DMBs and panic withdrawals by customers from the ATMs.

“While we note the concerns of Nigerians on the availability of cash for financial transactions, we wish to assure the public that there is sufficient stock of currency notes for economic activities in the country.

“The branches of the CBN across the country are also working to ensure the seamless circulation of cash in their respective states of operation,” it said.

The CBN advised members of the public to guard against panic withdrawals as there was sufficient stock to facilitate economic activities.

It also advised Nigerians to embrace alternative modes of payment, which would reduce pressure on using physical cash.

Why there is Naira notes scarcity – CBN

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BREAKING : Senators donate December salaries to victims of Kaduna bombing

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3 hours ago

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December 10, 2023

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BREAKING : Senators donate December salaries to victims of Kaduna bombing

All the 109 Nigerian senators have donated their December salaries, amounting to N109 million to the victims of the ‘accidental’ bombing in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of the Kaduna State.

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, announced this at the Kaduna Government House when he led a high-power delegation of the Senate members to the state.

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The Senators were received by the state governor, Senator Uba Sani.

Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said the money would be sent to the state governor for onward delivery to the victims.

The governor thanked the senators for their donation.

BREAKING : Senators donate December salaries to victims of Kaduna bombing

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Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku

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9 hours ago

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December 10, 2023

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Atiku Abubakar

Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has accused an online newspaper of mischief and witch-hunt, by claiming that he refused to release his academic records.

The newspaper had reported that the former vice president refused to release his academic records despite exposing President Bola Tinubu.

But Atiku in a statement issued by his Media Adviser Paul Ibe said the newspaper did not adhere to any known ethics of journalism, and accused it of publishing a story that is neither controversial nor shrouded in a cover-up.

According to the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, the documents upon which the report was based are already in the public space.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the body that is the repository of all relevant documents required by law for anyone contesting election into public office,” Atiku stated, adding that the newspaper did not write to INEC to place a demand for Atiku Abubakar’s documents.

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The former vice president also disclosed that he is an alumnus of both Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, noting that neither of the institutions was contacted for his academic records with them, “nor did Atiku stop the school or go to court to ask any of these schools not to release his records.”

He also said the publication is at liberty to write to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) demanding a copy of his certificate and transcript.

“The ethics of journalism seeks to establish the truth when there is a dispute about it or when there is a deliberate cover-up that inhibits public interest,” alleging that the newspaper was not interested in interrogating the discoveries from the Chicago State University “for the obvious reason that a parent owner of the newspaper occupies a critical seat in the current government.

“And, then, we ask the question: What manner of a newspaper sets out to protect the interest of a government but is very willing to embark on a wild goose chase on a private citizen?”

Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku

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