Security experts, others kick as IGP disbands IRT, STS

Some security experts and officers have kicked against the disbanding of satellite offices and bases of the Intelligence Response Squad (IRT) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Nigeria Police.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, ordered the disbanding of the formations as part of moves by the Force Headquarters to reposition the security organisation for greater accountability.

Adamu said the integration of the IRT and STS into the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) headed by Ibrahim Lamorde was in order to improve efficiency.

According to a signal sighted by newsmen on Monday, the deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) in charge of IRT (Abba Kyari) and (STS) Yusuf Kolo were directed to ensure that all bases and offices outside Abuja are shut down with immediate effect. Operatives in the units were ordered to report to Abuja.

A security expert, Dr. Onah Ekohomu, said it would be an unpardonable error for the IGP to scrap the IRT offices or put them under FCIID.

“The IRT should be left alone as it is a specialized formation that has proven that it is capable. If the police are winding down the offices of IRT nationwide, they are telling kidnappers to have a field day. That the police are being cheered up is because of the achievements of IRT. The squad is doing well in intelligence and it uses highly technical and sophisticated equipment to track hoodlums.

“But for STS, I think they have a reason to make the squad work with the Federal SARS because they are doing the same work with states’ SARS, tackling armed robberies and violent crimes,” Ekohomu said.

A legal practitioner, Mr. Adeleke Debo, said there was no need of changing a winning team, accusing politicians of destabilising the system.

“The achievements of the formations, especially IRT, led by Kyari, is second to none in the history of this country. Any progressive should not think of how to change winning teams but should think of how to promote leaders of the teams to give them the strength to bite. Removing Kyari and Kolo who have done well in intelligence and crime fighting will bring the security of this country to its knees.”

According to him, Kyari was rewarded recently by the House of Representatives not because he is handsome, but because of his monumental achievements.

Some senior police officers that spoke on condition of anonymity, as they are not permitted to speak to the press, alleged that the disbanding of ITS and STS was out of envy by some close associates of the IGP who felt that the tactical units were shinning and becoming more influential in the force.

A senior officer at the Force Headquarters, Abuja said: “Ever since the House of Representatives honoured Kyari with an award, the centre has not been able to hold in the force. Some senior officers, especially commissioners of police who are jealous of Kyari and Kolo have been talking to the IGP to cripple Kyari, claiming he is becoming too powerful.

“They argued that Kyari should have convinced the House of Representatives to give the award to his boss rather than accepting it. Our IGP was initially happy with Kyari receiving the award, but as he kept listening to his friends, he decided to cripple Kyari.”