The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Chaired by the Ekiti State Governor, Dr John Kayode Fayemi has enjoined the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to reconsider the implementation of Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) as a panacea for the series of unfortunate development in the police force.
It would be recalled that Adamu had earlier announced that the new team (SWAT) will replace the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) which was disbanded due to its excesses over the years.
The Governors, in a communique on Thursday, said they held a meeting with Adamu on the formation.
Adamu briefed the state chief executives on the protests against SARS.
The communique signed by NGF Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, hailed the plan for far-reaching reforms for accountability, greater effectiveness and transparency in the police force.
The governors, however, stressed that there was a need for greater consultation with the public, that the Police Force must cooperate with the people its seeks to protect for effective policing.
They advised Adamu to “convene a meeting of all stakeholders and agree on a format of engagement with state officials”.
The governors warned that the mood of Nigerians should be considered, because SWAT implementation may be seen as an attempt to simply rebrand SARS.
The communique disclosed that Adamu told them that after a psychological and medical evaluation, 50 SWAT Officers will be trained and posted to all State Commands.
He assured that they will not take part in routine operations, operate specifically on intelligence and 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”, it read.
The governors urged the police to fish out rogue members of the disbanded police unit and ensure that they are investigated and prosecuted.
