The Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Rivers State has been given 30 days to vacate the premises it currently occupies at the Obio/Akpor International Market in Rukpoku Community, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The SARS operatives in the state was also given from 19th of October till 30th of November to deliver same property to the authority of Obio-Akpor Local Government Council.
The office, which SARS used in the state, was originally built to be used as market, but because of criminal activities in the area, a building in the premises was given to the security outfit of the Nigeria Police.
But recently, there has been a face-off between SARS and some well-placed individuals in the state and Obio/Akpor in particular over alleged misconducts of the security operatives.
In the letter addressed to the SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede, and made available to Southern City News by a source close to the police, the council authorities directed SARS to leave the place.
The letter signed by Obio-Akpor Local Government Council Legal Adviser, Victor Owhonda-Wokem, indicated that the quit notice call was to enable the council to carry out major renovation work in order to commence the original purpose in which the property was built.
It read in part, “I am directed by the Local Government Council to give you one month notice to vacate and deliver possession of the premises/property of the Obio/Akpor International Market, which you presently occupy as a licensee thereof on or before 30th day of November, 2017.
“This directive is borne out of the council’s need to carry out major renovation works at the international market and to put the said property, which you occupy into full use and purpose for which it was originally acquired and built.”
Those copied in the letter included the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Zaki.
The Commander of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Akin Fakorede, in reply on Thursday, described the letter by LG authority as misleading and warned the council against making false claims.
Fakorede noted that the facility was originally built to serve as a police station, stressing that it was officially handed over to the State Police Command by the immediate past governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi.
“I wish to respectively inform your good office that the Rivers State Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) is not in possession of occupation of any premises/property of Obio/Akpor Local Government.