#EndSARS: Just Like Changing NEPA To PHCN – Omokri Reacts To SWAT Announcement By IGP

Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to the creation of a new unit – Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team by the Inspector-General of Police.

It will be recalled the IGP, Mohammed Adamu on Tuesday, announced that the SWAT team will take over the activities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The Police boss made the announcement in a statement by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba.

The statement read in part, “The IGP has set up a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team that will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS. Prospective members of this new team will also undergo a psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

“They are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week. While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the Police Commands from the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.”

The announcement of the new SWAT team has been rejected by many Nigerians who took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to make their views known.

Omokri also joined those who rejected the newly constituted SWAT team, arguing that the change of name can not translate to a change of attitude which is what Nigerians are demanding.

He compared the development to when the NEPA was changed to PHCN without any noticeable change in performance.

He wrote: “The SWAT announced by the @PoliceIGP is a Greek Gift. Without weeding out errant cops and recruiting new blood, who must go through a different and better training than SARS, the SWAT will just be like when NEPA changed to PHCN.”

The SWAT announced by the @PoliceIGP is a Greek Gift. Without weeding out errant cops and recruiting new blood, who must go through a different and better training than SARS, the SWAT will just be like when NEPA changed to PHCN#ENDSARS #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria#SARSMUSTEND

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) October 13, 2020