There were indications in Abuja, yesterday, that
the Federal Government may have given the go-ahead to
the new Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to
clean up the top hierarchy of the Police Force.
Sources disclosed that over 20 senior officers may be
involved in the forthcoming gale of retirements in this
regard.
The looming clear-out of the officers is coming just as it
also emerged that President Muhammadu Buhari has
ordered a massive redeployment of officers and men of the
Nigeria Police Force in Niger Delta, following what was
described as their inability to checkmate or contain the
destructive and bombing activities of Niger Delta Avengers
and other militant groups on oil and gas platforms critical
to the nation’s revenue base.
The 20 senior officers, mostly Assistant Inspectors General
of Police, AIGs, are those who enlisted in the Force before
the Acting IGP.
Already, seven Deputy Inspectors General, DIGs, have been
retired, following the retirement of former IGP, Solomon
Arase, after 35 years in service.
Vanguard , however, gathered that the retirement of the 20
senior officers, who form a generation of officers of the
police, would create a massive vacuum of both
experienced and highly sound professional officers, who
are specialists in fields that will affect the force badly.
Regarding the redeployment of police officers from the
Niger Delta, Vanguard learned that the alleged discovery
that several billions of naira were distributed through a
serving Major General in the Nigerian Army, who
commanded a Joint Task Force in the area, has shown
that security agencies in the Niger Delta had been
compromised, and could hardly do much about the
marauding and destructive activities of Niger Delta
Avengers and other militant groups.
Already, new Commissioners of Police have been posted to
some of the states, while others would follow suit.
A source disclosed that the redeployment would cut across
all ranks of the force, down to Commanders, Squadron
Commanders and other ranks.
Police to focus on integrity and accountability —Idris
Meanwhile, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim
Idris, has said that under his watch, the Nigerian Police
Force would, henceforth, focus on integrity and
accountability.
He said: “In order to establish and maintain high standard
of behaviour in our official conduct and to eliminate
impunity and ensure transparency in application of the
core values, we will ensure that henceforth, it will be
against work ethics for any police commander at any level
to treat complaints with levity.
"Complaints received from members of the public must be
treated within the shortest possible time to the satisfaction
of the complainant.
“In our efforts to give a boost to the current
administration’s war on corruption, the police management
will strengthen the Police X-Squad units in police
commands, with the deployment of thoroughly vetted,
selfless and patriotic officers to tackle corruption and
abuse of office within the police organization at the federal,
state and local government levels.
“The personnel deployed to this anti-corruption unit will be
supported with incentives to make them more effective in
the discharge of their duties.
“In order to enhance the investigative capacity of the
Nigeria Police, concerted effort will be made to establish,
at least, one Police forensic laboratory in each of the six
geo-political zones of the country.
"This will boost the capacity of the police to effectively and
efficiently investigate and prosecute crime within the
organization.
On welfare of policemen
“This administration will leave no stone unturned to look
into the issue of provision of cheap and affordable
accommodation for the police ranks and file.
“Making uniforms and accoutrement available for
members of the ranks and file will be a priority of this
administration. Henceforth, appearance of every police
officer will be taken seriously.
“Prompt and timely payment of salaries of serving
personnel will be a cardinal objective to be vigorously
pursued by this administration. "
Joint operation centres
On the establishment of joint operation centres, the Acting
IGP said: “Coordination with other security agencies is
very critical at this period of security challenges in the
country.
"In every Police Command, a joint operation centre for
effective synergy with other security agencies to respond
to major crises 24/7 will be created. This will bring our
daily operations closer and will build more trust and
confidence among us.’’
Arase expresses satisfaction
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