SWAT: Nigeria’s new police unit begins training
Nigerian police’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit began training with over 400 personnel at the Police Mobile College in Eggon, Nasarawa State.
SWAT will replace the now-dismantled Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) which was dissolved following allegations of bribery, extortion, illegal arrests and extra-judicial killings.
SWAT began training on Monday. The police promised that no former SARS operative would be allowed into the new unit.
Police affiars minister Muhammad Dingyadi and other officials inspected the exercise.
In his opening remark, the minister said he was happy with the progress the personnel was making and charged them to be good role models of the society.
“I believe at the end of this exercise you are going to come out as very dedicated and very committed mobile police officers who will be equal to the task we have assigned to you” he added.
”Your new responsibility as a replacement to SARS is to face the challenges of armed robbery and other crimes across the country.”
He also acknowledged the changing times and advised the personnel to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights as they get set to carry out their new task.
The minister further assured the personnel of President Muhammadu Buhari’s readiness to improve their welfare and other packages promised them.
The personnel, who are over 400 in number, have been undergoing training for weeks at the college which is the second location of the SWAT personnel training in the country.
