The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Ciroma, speaks with JIDE BABALOLA and FAITH YAHAYA about the command’s battles with criminally-minded big men, rapists and other anti-social elements, as well as his involvement in the investigation of the alleged murder of Anita Akapson, daughter of former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman, by a policeman in the nation’s capital city.
How would you describe the art of policing in the Federal Capital Territory?
POLICING FCT is definitely challenging, especially because of the cosmopolitan nature of the territory. We have a lot of movements from the rural areas to the urban areas, and wherever this happens, studies show that there is bound to be an increase in crime. Therefore, you have to review the strategies in crime fighting to know where and how to curtail the situation. It has been quite tasking and we have had to device ways and deploy crime preventive measures that will help us check crime situations. So far, we have been able to manage crime levels within the FCT.
How true is the claim that there has always been a steady influx of criminals from various parts of the country into Abuja?
I would say that there is steady influx of human beings into the Federal Capital Territory and you cannot say that every one of them that comes in is genuine. Therefore, people of varied interests come into the FCT. It is true that good and honest people come in, so also do criminals.
In what way has the recent reform of SARS impacted on the operations of the FCT Police Command?
SARS reforms are ongoing. Directives have been given and we are implementing them. The level of success will be measured by the Force Headquarters. I know that they will address you at the appropriate time. As a crack detective, you were directed by the Inspector-General of Police to lead an investigation into the recent murder of Anita Akapson by policemen. How far have you gone with the investigation? As a policeman, I was detailed to head the investigation panel and I want to assure you that our investigation is almost concluded and the right and necessary steps will be taken at the end of the investigation. Family members of the deceased Miss Akapson are demanding that the identity of the officers involved (in shooting her) be made public.
Will the police yield to this demand?
At the appropriate time, you will know the identity of the person. We have already told you that somebody is in custody and he is being investigated. At the end of the investigation, the right thing will be done and he will be arraigned. There are reports of gender-related criminal issues like rape in the FCT.
Can you give us an insight into this?
Rape cases are being recorded in the FCT just like they are being recorded in other parts of the country. Given the gravity of the offence itself, a specialised unit was created within the FCT Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID) to handle rape cases, and all cases of rape reported within the FCT are normally transferred to that section in the CIID to handle. I am pleased to tell you that a lot of people have been arraigned in court.
Can you give us the number of rape suspects being arraigned in the FCT?
I cannot mention a particular figure right now but a substantial number have been arraigned in court. Car snatching, phone snatching and ‘one-chance’ robbery in taxi cabs also seem to be prevalent in the FCT.
What measures are you putting in place to check this?
A lot of measures have been put in place. Just like we did with the rape situation, we have a specialised unit within the CIID to deal with such cases. Prior to my coming, this section did not exist. But when we received reports of ‘onechance’, we decided to establish the section and we involved stakeholders. So a special task force was created and we involved members of road transport unions and this has started bearing fruits. During the last parade we had, we paraded some notorious ‘one-chance’ robbery gangs and we will still parade some at our next press briefing. So, I think it has been a success. At least, we have been able to reduce and put such crimes in check. It appears that the more the police arrest criminals, the more new ones appear.
What message do you have for families and members of the public in general regarding the upbringing of their children and crime prevention?
I think they need to go back to the basics. In the past when people had good parental upbringing, the level of crime was very low. Now, parents need to do a lot in terms of the upbringing of their kids and ensuring that they monitor them so that they don’t suffer the sad consequences of negative peer influence. Negative peer influence has been tremendously responsible for various delinquent and criminal behaviours being shown by children and young people these days.
What has been your experience with the ‘Big Man Syndrome’ that we tend to see so often in Abuja?
For instance, there are ‘big men’ who feel that they are above the law and that they cannot be booked for mere traffic offences. What is the experience of FCT Police in this regard?
Well, I have not experienced that challenge personally. But I have had situations where my men say that some people come out of their vehicles and immediately begin to say, “Do you know who I am?” It doesn’t matter who you are. The issue is not who you are but why did you do what you have done? People have to respect themselves because the law is no respecter of anybody. If you commit any offence, you should be ready to face the consequences. No intimidation, we just ensure that we do what we are expected to do. We won’t go beyond that. Members of the public are told that police is their friend. But following the killing of two ladies by policemen in Abuja in the last four months, messages have been circulating on social media warning people to be extremely careful because policemen are on the edge.
What message are you sending to FCT residents to assure them of adequate protection?
The message is very simple. The swiftness with which we dealt with the first case is an indication that police is indeed the friend of the public. We don’t cover ourselves. Policemen are not above the law.
Yes, something went wrong: a policeman killed somebody and we ensured that the person was swiftly brought to book. That suspect was immediately arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation. We still remain your friends because we will always do the right thing. As to the claim that policemen are on the edge, that I don’t know. I don’t know what indices the person used to say that. Yes, one or two cases of misconduct emerged, but they have been dealt with swiftly. One is already in court while the other is under investigation.