Nigerians Cry Out Over New Security Outfit ‘NDLEA SWAT’

Many Nigerians have on Monday cried over the alleged unlawful activities of a new security outfit called ‘NDLEA SWAT‘, which appears to be operating on highways in the country.

Singer and activist, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens better known as Ruggedman raised alarm about the unit via his official Twitter handle on Sunday, December 20.

While sharing two photos of alleged members of the security unit, Ruggedman queried Nigerian Police Force and Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency why some of its members were searching phones of motorists.

Dear @PoliceNG @PoliceNG_CRU @ndlea_nigeria what is NDLEA SWAT and why are they on the road with guns searching peoples phone?#WhatisNdleaSwat

Cc @segalink @NGRSenate @NGRPresident #Nigeria #Dotherightthing #Endimpunity#adoaja #skijumpingfamily #mystylerocksgr pic.twitter.com/6Nt21uruX2

— RUGGEDMAN (@RuggedyBaba) December 20, 2020

The operation of the new security outfit called ‘NDLEA SWAT’ which means Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Special Weapon and Tactical Team has since sparked angry reactions among Nigerians.

Some queried authorities on why they are on major roads wielding guns and searching peoples phone just like members of defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit were often accused of before it was disbanded.

It would be recalled that protests against the defunct SARS and police brutality broke out in different states in October, which ran for about 2 weeks.

The police unit was accused of its high-handedness such extortion, brutality, maiming and even killing of Nigerians especially youths.

This led to the disbandment of the unit and establishment of Special Weapon and Tactical Team (SWAT), a unit which Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu deployed for routine patrols across the country amid several calls for better security.

See some reactions from Nigerians on Twitter below;

NDLEA SWAT are back again
See as first frame be like kidnappers pic.twitter.com/MCjLgHtDWN

— A D E N I Y I (@theAdeniyionly) December 21, 2020

https://twitter.com/ayemojubar/status/1340980653458862080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1340980653458862080%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmojidelano.com%2F2020%2F12%2Fnigerians-cry-out-over-new-security-outfit-ndlea-swat%2F

https://twitter.com/scotty_ship/status/1340987184539725825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1340987184539725825%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmojidelano.com%2F2020%2F12%2Fnigerians-cry-out-over-new-security-outfit-ndlea-swat%2F

https://twitter.com/Dxski_/status/1341007531313926148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1341007531313926148%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmojidelano.com%2F2020%2F12%2Fnigerians-cry-out-over-new-security-outfit-ndlea-swat%2F