Often challenged by the population and human rights defenders for various abuses of power or brutality, these federal police forces see their area of focus limited. Special units will now have to limit themselves to their main mission.
Armed robberies, kidnappings, violent crimes, in short, organized crime, fall within the reach of Nigerian special forces. And that should now be their only activity. The Chief of Police, Inspector General Muhammed Adamu, was categorical: there was no longer a question of routine checks, simple identity checks, road checks.
Extortion and intimidation
A measure which concerns in particular all specialized units, the intelligence team and the anti-sect group. But it is particularly targeted at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, which fights robberies and armed robberies. The police chief justifies his decision by arresting two members of this team and a civilian accomplice in Lagos State. They are especially accused of extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.
A case far from isolated. This particular strength is appointed on a regular basis for its operation. It was reformed in 2017 after a campaign calling for dissolution on social networks and afterNGO Amnesty International condemned cases of torture and extortion. But in June 2019, an internal investigation revealed human rights violations committed by at least 22 of its members.
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