Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has ordered the closure of all Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) satellite units across the country.
This comes a day after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested Abba Kyari, the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team, and others for alleged drug dealings.
All serving satellite unit officers have been ordered to report to Force Headquarters in Abuja for debriefing.
Authorities have ordered that serving officers and personnel in the unit be demobilized and posted to commands across the country, according to a police source who spoke to Channels Television.
Meanwhile, the Force management also directed that the IRT/STS Headquarters in Abuja should be fortified and organized for enhanced operational performance to combat emerging trends.
READ ALSO: Abba Kyari: Police Tackle NDLEA, Says Some Officers Of The Agency On The Payroll Of Drug Barons
In July 2020, the then-Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu had directed the disbandment of the satellite offices and bases of the IRT and STS, leaving the headquarters of the units under the State Investigation Bureau as a response to the public outcry on human rights infringement by some officers of these units.
While the civil society organizations commended then disbandment stressing that most of the alleged atrocities that have dented the image of the Police were carried out at the Satellite bases, where the operatives acted with impunity.
According to them, the IG’S decision was to ensure that IRT Officers operate in the various State Commands under the strict supervision and control of the State Commissioners.
The Commissioners of Police would be held responsible for any excesses and failure of the Operatives or failure to hold them accountable for a breach of due process.
The formations of the two units of the police followed moves by the Force Headquarters to reposition the police and ensure accountability and due process.