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  • PDP mocks Buhari over ‘failed’ Abuja rally

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has mocked President Muhammadu Buhari over what it described as “scanty attendance” at his campaign rally in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The main opposition party said the event was a parody and further indication to the President and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) Nigerians have rejected them ahead of Saturday’s presidential election.

    A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, also said the scanty attendance at most of President Buhari’s rallies in various parts of the country has further revealed the APC only fabricated figures in its claims that 14.8 of its members voted for the President at the flawed convention.

    The PDP said: “Nigerians can now further see that the figures were concocted by APC leaders to give an impression that President Buhari has massive support across the country, as well as use it as basis to allocate fictitious figures for him in the Presidential election.

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    “President Buhari, who was pelted by Nigerians at his campaign rally in Ogun state on Monday, again slurred at the Abuja rally and, as usual, could not even articulate any meaningful message for his very scanty audience at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

    “The PDP says the failed rallies, should serve as an ample signal to President Buhari and the APC that Nigerians have moved ahead in rallying with the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and no amount of enticement or intimidation can change that resolve.

    “The PDP therefore urge compromised officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and our security agencies to note the tide and extricate themselves from any form of entanglement or pact to rig the elections for President Buhari, as they will be doing so at their own peril”.

  • Buhari assures Commonwealth scribe on credible polls

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said that no effort will be spared to ensure the general elections starting from Saturday are credible.

    According to him, people have more confidence in a government elected in free and fair polls than one that wangles its way into office through artifice and subterfuge.

    Buhari made the remark when the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja after attending the signing of the Peace Accord at the International Conference Centre.

    He said: “One Nigeria is non-negotiable. Over two million people died in the civil war we fought, and when people elect their own government through a free and fair process, they have more confidence in such government.

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    “We will not spare any effort to organise credible polls, and people should come out and vote for their choices.”

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, expressed pleasure that the Commonwealth was showing keen interest in the Nigerian election.

    He appreciated him for coming all the way to be a part of what would engender free and fair polls.

    The Secretary-General described Nigeria as “a treasured member of the Commonwealth family,” saying signing of the Peace Accord would lead to better voter turnout, “as they would have seen the commitment to peace by all the main actors.”

    She commended what she described as President Buhari’s “calmness and good humour,” even as the polls approach, stressing: “When Nigeria is healthy, vibrant and strong, the whole of Africa is strengthened.”

    Rt. Hon. Scotland also lauded “the energetic way” the President has pursued issues of security and anti-corruption, pledging that the Commonwealth stands ready to assist Nigeria at all times.

  • Photos: Buhari, Atiku sign peace accord in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday joined other candidates to sign the second 2019 National Peace Accord in Abuja.

    The Presidential election comes up on Saturday 16th of February, 2019.

    Buhari and Atiku called for free, fair and non-violent elections.

  • What manner of probe?

    The House of Representatives’ probe of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and alleged violations of the Pension Reform Act 2014 sparked uproar in the industry. Omobola Tolu-Kusimo reports

    THE House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee probe into PenCom’s activities and the alleged violation of the Pension Reform Act 2014, which held on February 7, 2019, began with an assurance from its Chairman, Hon.  Johnson Agbonayinmam.  He said: “We are here to do our oversight function and not to witch-hunt anybody or the commission as a whole.”

    He continued: “When a complaint is brought to us, we will investigate. So, this is just an investigation. It is purely investigative and until proven guilty, the commission is innocent. We are investigating all issues. I am saying this because the submission from some quarters before today’s probe showed that we have taken a position. But no, we have not taken a decision. What we are doing is also in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption.”

    But some stakeholders thought otherwise. To them, the word investigation evoked a negative feeling for a sensitive industry like the Nigerian pension industry.

    Present at the probe to state their positions were government agencies, including the Civil Service Commission, Ministry of Finance, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), Pension Fund Custodian (PFC), and other stakeholders from the private sector, civil society groups, and individuals from across the country.

    Explaining what led to the probe, Agbonayinmam said: “At the plenary session of November, 2018, the House deliberated on a motion on the need to investigate the violation of PRA 2014 by PenCom and resolved to constitute an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the matter. Consequently, an ad-hoc committee was constituted on December 12, 2018 with the mandate to investigate the activities of the commission and violation of the Act from April 2017 till date.”

    He listed the violations to include unduly creating impasse in the matter of appointment and resumption of duty of the members of the Board of the Commission; illegal creation of additional Directorates and appointment of more directors, thereby increasing the number from 10 to 17 directors and illegal increase of Commission’s staff End of Service Benefits by 300 per cent.

    When Agbonayinmam asked PenCom Acting Director-General, Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Umar, to respond to allegations against the commission, she said they were false, unfounded and embarrassing, adding that the commission has always acted in line with the Act, and that the management and members of staff of the commission work with the Act.

    “The Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, as most of my colleagues call it is our bible; we walk by it. It controls every decision we take, so we can never violate it,” she added.

    She also said the Commission’s contention that the House of Representatives was misled by the motion moved on November 29, 2018, as the allegations listed in the House resolution against the commission for infractions of the PRA 2014 are completely incorrect and unfounded.

    Stating the commission’s position, she said: “Accordingly, the commission hereby presents to the Ad-hoc Committee, the true positions of the issues. The House Ad-hoc Committee may recall that following the dissolution of the erstwhile management of PenCom on 13 April, 2017 along with the managements of 22 other Agencies and Parastatals, the Federal Government announced the names of a new management team subject to confirmation by the Senate.

    “You will further recall that on 27 May, 2017, the Federal Government reconstituted the nominated team subject to Senate confirmation. In the interim, however, the Federal Government directed the undersigned, as the most senior career staff of the commission, to superintend the affairs of the commission in acting capacity, pending assumption of duty by the appointed members of the Executive Management. Consequently, we have in the Commission since April 2017, only a transitional management run by career staff of the commission.

    “By virtue of Section 19(3) of the PRA 2014, Mr. President has the power to appoint the Chairman, the Director-General and Commissioners of PenCom, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The career staff of the commission absolutely do not have any role or influence on decisions taken by either the Executive or Legislative arms of the Federal Government in the matter of appointment to the Board of the Commission. It is, therefore, incorrect to allege that the current transitional management is stalling the appointment or assumption of duty of the new Board members.”

    On the accusation of illegal creation of additional Directorates and appointment of more directors, thereby increasing the number from 10 to 17, The Actg DG said: “Section 30 of the PRA 2014 provides that the structure of PenCom shall comprise “Divisions, Departments and Units as may be approved by the Board from time to time.”

    “Furthermore, the commission has not recruited any additional General Manager (i.e. Director) since the beginning of the transitional period in April 2017 to date. What happened was a normal and duly approved promotion exercise for career staff of the Commission, where three Deputy General Managers were promoted to the grade of General Managers after duly satisfying the established criteria in accordance with the terms and conditions of their employment.

    “The Ad-hoc Committee may wish to note that the Report of the Annual Staff Performance Appraisal exercise, containing recommendations for promotion to General Manager and other grades, was approved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on 18 April, 2018, in the absence of a functional Board of the Commission. This is consistent with the provision of Section 17(5) of the PRA 2014 and Section 9 of the First Schedule to the PRA 2014, as well as Mr. President’s directive of 16 July, 2015 to all MDAs whose Boards were dissolved that issues requiring approval of Boards should be referred to him for decision through the respective supervising Ministries.

    “You may wish to further note that since the inception of the transitional management in April 2017, PenCom has not undertaken any staff recruitment. The recruitment undertaken by the erstwhile Executive Management on the eve of their departure was suspended by the House Committee on Federal Character due to issues associated with the process.”

    Interjecting, a member of the ad-hoc committee, Hon. Benjamin Wayo, queried  the legitimacy of the President usurping the statutory roles of the board by directing the SGF to act on his behalf.

    He said there is no provision in Section 17(5) of the PRA 2014, that gives the President the authority to usurp the powers or functions of the board of the commission.

    He pointed out that the President should be called to order for usurping the powers of the board.

    But Hon Agbonayinmam, who is the ad-hod committee Chairman, quickly overruled Hon. Wayo’s points, noting that constitutionally, the President can direct the SGF to act on his behalf, and the case of the PenCom is not an exception.

    Wayo, who insisted on his point was further cut short by Hon Agbonayinmam, leading to a mild argument between the legislators.

    Another member of the Committee, Hon. Iboro Asuquo Ekanem, questioned the legitimacy of the transitional management team by the commission, saying that the PRA of 2014 does not recognise such team.

    He also queried the non-remittance of Federal Government’s monthly pension contributions into workers Retirement Savings Account (RSA) and the creation of a Transitional Management Team.

    Reacting, the Ag DG clarified that “Transitional Management” is a mere semantic and it is temporary before the board resumes. According to her, all Directors and Heads of Departments comprise the management committee. As such the commission does not need anybody’s approval to act on operational matters like the management committee, hence the creation of the term transitional management.  She explained that transitional management is an operational word used by the management to work as team.

    Speaking on the allegation of illegal increase of commission’s staff End of Service Benefits by 300 per cent, she said the allegation is also false and unfounded.

    On Federal Government’s non-remittance of monthly contributions into RSA accounts, she explained that remittance is done in arrears of between two to four months.

    At the end of the probe, the Ad-Hoc Committee did not make any statement against the commission. Rather, Hon Agbonayinmam and his members asked the Commission to provide PenCom staff travel schedule, travel ticket and payments made, explaining that the reason they demanded for the details was to ensure that everybody, including her, who collected money did travel. They also requested to see details of contracts awarded since she took over as Acting DG and all that were procured under her. They further demanded to see PenCom assets.

    But the Acting DG said she has not awarded any contract; neither does the commission have any other asset aside its headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

    Hon Agbonayinmam, however, adjourned sitting to an unannounced date amidst protest by some stakeholders, who said they were not allowed to state their opinions.

    A stakeholder from the private sector said the probe was irritating the private sector. “We are irritated as thoroughbred private sector investor and stakeholders. What is the Ad-Hoc Committee looking for? What are they investigating? The fact that they say they are investigating the activities of PenCom and its violation has already caused tension in the system. And after hearing what they have to say, my conclusion is that they have only heated the system with the investigation. You can even see that the legislators seem confused and eventually started laughing and sharing jokes.”

    Centre for Pension Right Advocacy Executive Director, Ivor Takor lamented that the word investigation conveyed a very negative feeling. “The word investigation conveys a very negative feeling. It does not flow from what happened during the proceedings. I think that if the National Assembly wants documents from PenCom, they should sit with PenCom and get the documents and not say they are calling for an investigation. Because this industry strives on goodwill and there are new initiatives like micro pension which people have to buy in. And when you begin to talk about investigation, the major stakeholders, who are the workers and retirees, feel that something is going wrong in the industry and from what they have shown today, nothing has gone wrong with the industry. If the Federal Government is deducting money from workers and they are not remitting, the National Assembly should have sought it out with the government. Also, if the Presidency has not appointed board, what is the business of PenCom staff with that? Are they to appoint boards for themselves?

    “The law states that for all statutory parastatals, in the absence of a board, they report to the President, through Secretary to the Government (SGF) and they know it. Why will they be asking whether reporting through the SGF is right or wrong? I think it is really mean. When they came here to ask which staff travelled, did he actually travel, it is so mean and a waste of people’s time, who travelled all the way from different states in the country to come and be hearing this type of a thing. It is very sad.

    “As to whether the fund is safe or not, the fund is safe. I happen to be one of the people, who wrote the PRA 2004 and I was a board member of Pencom for seven years. We know that everything was put in place to safeguard the funds and that comes first. The issue we have had in pension has to do with the old pension, Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) and not Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). To even think that why they do not have a board is between the Presidency and the National Assembly, yet the legislators still blame PenCom for maintaining and sustaining the pension industry,” he said.

    Hight Street Consulting Ltd Managing Director, Wilson Ideva, said it is National Assembly’s role to carry out oversight functions on government agencies and parastatals.

    Ideva, a former Managing Director of one of the PFAs, said: “People may have mixed feelings, especially those in the private sector about what is going on. But in between, the truth is always constant. As we all witnessed today, no fraud was detected because there can never be any fraud. Like the Acting DG said, there can never be any fraud before her, with her or after her. The statement speaks for itself, which means in perpetuity, there will never be anytime there is fraud because of the internal control that has been put in place.”

  • Nigeria, India partner on energy security

    Nigeria and the Republic of India have pledged to work more closely to enhance energy security of both countries.

    The consensus came on the heels of a visit Tuesday in Abuja of the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency, Abhay Thakur, to the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, a release by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, has said.

    The release stated that Dr. Baru, who acknowledged the role of Indian companies in Nigeria, called on them to extend their presence to the downstream sector of the Petroleum Industry to leverage on the enormous opportunities there.

    He assured the High Commissioner of NNPC’s commitment to further strengthen the existing relations between both countries in the energy sector.

    The GMD noted that with the refineries up for repairs, the corporation would need technical assistance from Indian companies.

    Speaking earlier, the Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency, Thakur, commended Nigeria for its support to India in the area of energy security, stressing that Nigeria had been contributing significantly to India’s energy needs.

    He said India was open to further strengthening its collaboration with Nigeria through regular dialogue and exchange of technical know-how.

    “Specifically, India is already sourcing almost 10% of its energy requirement from Nigeria and we look forward to further strengthening of this cooperation across various sources of energy, not only oil, but also in gas, solar energy and other renewable sources”, he said.

    He commended the Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and the GMD on the successful hosting of the recently concluded Nigerian International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) while assuring of his country’s continued support.

  • FG stops payment of GenCos shortfall

    …urges evacuation of stranded 2,000mw for revenue

     

    The Federal Government on Tuesday announced its exit from the payment of the shortfall for the 4000mega watts per hour (mwh) to the Electricity Generation Companies (GenCos).

    According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Louis Edozein, who broke the news to stakeholders at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) workshop on Eligible Customer Regulation in Abuja, the Electric Power Sector Act does not make provision for the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) to pay for the shortfall to the GenCos.

    He told the stakeholders that in line with the contractual agreements, it is the consumers, who should pay for the power they consume.

    His words: “In addition to that 2,000 MW, the 4,000mwh that is consistently being delivered is not fully paid for. Government through the nation’s insurance Programme is paying the generation companies for any shortfall payment from NBET.

    “Clearly that is not what act intends the industry to be. And ultimately government has to exit from this role.

    “So, it is this regulation that will ensure that not just stranded power but delivered power, is delivered to consumers who are contractually bound to pay for it. And if they do not pay for it they do not enjoy the service.”

    The Permanent Secretary noted that it is obvious that there is more generation than the consumers can pay for, noting that the solution is for the stakeholders to look for the customers that are not well served under the Eligible Customers Regulation to take it and pay for it for their benefits.

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    He submitted that “if we do this aggressively, that 2,000mw of so-called stranded generation will quickly evaporate.”

    He told the stakeholders to look for customers to buy the stranded power because it is inappropriate for government to continue to pay for the power.

    According to him, government cannot perpetually pay for their power consumption.

    Edozein also told the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to stop the complaint about non-increase of tariff to the NERC and work with the GenCos to get willing customers to buy the available power.

    He said that “I have a message also for TCN: stop complaining to NERC about your tariff. Your job is to satisfy your own customers that is GenCos and DisCos.

    “Work with them as you have the money to find all customers using this policy who will take the power GenCos have, contract with GenCos at a tariff that you, the GenCos and customers agreed to transmit the power close to the customers. That is the way you will raise your revenue.”

    The Permanent Secretary urged the DisCos to satisfy their customers in order to encourage them to pay for the service.

    He explained to the DisCos that the reason the customers would want to take advantage of the eligible customer regulation is when they are not satisfied with the services rendered to them by the DisCos.

    He said “So DisCos this is your opportunity to service your customers better. Listen to them when there is infrastructure challenge in getting the product to them.”

    There was however a mild drama as the Deputy Managing Director, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Engr. John Ayodele counted the Permanent Secretary on stranded 2,000mw.

    He told the stakeholders that there is no stranded 2,000mw anywhere in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) but the Executive Director, Mainstream Energy Solution Limited, Mr. Siraj Abdullahi, insisted that his company, Kainji Power Hydro habours some stranded power.

    He challenged the stakeholders to come visiting the plant to observe the stranded power.

  • ‘The art of domestic policing, by IG

    Text of a lecture delivered by Acting Inspector-General of Police, Abubakar Adamu Mohammed to Course 27 Participants of the National Defence College, Abuja at the college auditorium on 7th February, 2019

    It is my honour and privilege to present this paper on behalf of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Abubakar Adamu Mohammed NPM, mni, who directed me to convey his candid apology for not being able to be here to personally deliver this lecture. He also sent his warm greetings and asked me to sincerely thank the Commandant for inviting him to deliver this lecture on “Nigeria Police: Challenges and future perspectives” to these distinguish participants. There is no doubt that no topic would have been more apt at this period of our national history than the one in question.

    The aim of this paper is to acquaint the participants with adequate knowledge of the Nigeria police Force (NPF).

    Outline of the Paper

    1. a) History and evaluation of the Nigeria Police Force
    2. b) Organizational Structure of the Nigeria Police Force
    3. c) Roles, Mission and Powers of the Nigeria Police
    4. d) Domestic policing, with emphasis on community policing
    5. e) International policing/ Police and Peace Support Operations
    6. f) Constraints to Nigeria Police Operational Efficiency
    7. g) Future Perspectives and Policy Direction
    8. h) Conclusion

    History and Evaluation of the Nigeria Police Force

    Historically, the establishment of a police force in Nigeria could be traced to the formation of a 30-Man Contingent in June 1861 in Lagos. The then Consular General, John Beecroft, appointed a 30-Man group of officers named the Consular Guard, with the permission of the British Government. This was to aid him in the discharge of his numerous administrative duties, some of which he regarded as police duties. This Consular Guard was renamed the “Hausa Guards” in 1863 and consisted of 600 men following an additional enlistment of run-away slaves captured at Jebba by Lieutenant Glover R. N. The Guard subsequently increased in capacity to 1,200 men due to the recruitment of new officer mainly of Hausa origin, all commanded by an Inspector General of Police. This Guard was saddled mainly with military duties as well as some civil duties, dealing with internal disturbance and external aggression.

    In 1894, the Niger Coast constabulary was established in Calabar under the Niger Coast Protectorate. It was modelled after the Hausa Constabulary but with greater emphasis on the military role. During its six years of existence, the constabulary was mainly engaged in active service and formed the major part of the Expedition against Benin in 1896. Like the Hausa Constabulary, Lagos Police Force was established on 1st January, 1896 and named the “Lagos Constabulary”. It had a Commissioner, two Assistant-Commissioners, a Superintendent, a Pay Quarter, a Master-Tailor and 250 other ranks. The Commissioner was a Sheriff (i.e. officer in charge of process). Inspector of weight and measure was also in charge of prison. This Force was armed and operated mainly in Lagos area while the “Hausa Constabulary” operated in the hinterland. In 1906, three separate Police Forces existed in Nigeria; the Lagos Police Force, the Northern Police Force and the Southern Police Force.

    Indeed, even at amalgamation in 1914, Nigeria did not have a unified Police until 1930 when all the three Forces were merged to form the Nigeria Police Force, with NPF as its acronym. The Force was under the command of Mr Duncan, as the Inspector General. The new Police Force was saddled with military duties as well as civil Police duties, dealing with internal disturbance and external aggression. The title, “Inspector General” was dropped for “Commissioner of Police” in the year 1937 as the Command Head of the Nigeria Police Force. Following the administrative division of the country into; East, West and Northern Regions, the Force was divided in 1947 and the office of an Assistant Commissioner of Police was created and appointed in each region. With the introduction of a new constitution in 1952, the Nigeria Police was again under the leadership of an Inspector General assisted by a Commissioner in charge of each of the regions.

    As Nigeria became a Republic on the 1st of October, 1963, the Nigeria Police continued to be administered on a Federal basis as it was promulgated in the Republican Constitution. Pursuant to the Military take-over of government in January 15, 1966, the country was divided into twelve States on 27th May, 1967. Subsequently, the Nigeria Police made necessary adjustments by establishing a Police Area Command in each of the States under the authority of Commissioners of Police. With the further creation of additional States, the structure changed to thirty-six States, and the Federal Capital Territory.

    It is imperative to note that even after the mergers of the Forces, under the colonial rule, the Nigeria Police still performed the vast majority of its duties under Local Governments. Thus, they were working under Native Authorities. However, at Independence in 1960, and under the first republic, the Nigeria Police initially worked on regional basis (territorial premise) before it was changed to the National Police. From thereon, the Police Force has experienced expansion, modernization and a couple of changes in nomenclature.

    The NPF, which at independence numbered approximately 12,000 was chronically underfunded (CLEEN Foundation, 2008). This, in addition to low manpower, was due to lack of equipment to perform. Equipment and facilities were poorly maintained, and with time, obsolete equipment such as those of communications were not upgraded to modern international standards. In addition, police remunerations were absolutely at their lowest, prior to the present democratic dispensation 1999. The numbers of police officers were not commensurate to the growing population of the country. At the advent of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, there were only 112,000 Policemen and women policing the Country of approximately 119.3 million then.

    Organisational Structure of the Nigeria Police Force

    The structure of the NPF is provided for under Section 214 (2) (a) and 215(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. It is designed to work in a multi-divisional form, although the operational structure has recently evolved in a matrix form with the combination of many other structures. Section 215 (2) of the Constitution states that:

    The NPF shall be under the Command of the Inspector-General of Police and any contingents of the NPF stationed in a State shall be subject to the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, and under the command of Commissioner of Police of that State.

    From the above provisions, three different structures: Command (Authority) Structure; Administration Structure; and Organisational Structure exist in the NPF. These structures are patterned to meet the Constitutional expectations of the Force, to perform efficiently and effectively the duties assigned to it. The Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force is in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, where the office of the Inspector General of Police is located.

    In order to ensure effective service delivery, the Inspector-General of Police is assisted by Deputy Inspectors-General of Police that are structured and divided into seven Departments: ‘A’- ‘G’, with each Department charged with peculiar duties. ‘A’ Department: Finance and Administration; ‘B’ Department: Operation; ‘C’ Department: Logistics and Supply; ‘D’ Department: Investigation and Intelligence; ‘E’ Department: Training and Development; ‘F’ Department: Research and Planning and ‘G’ Department: Information Communication and Technology (ICT). Though their duties are inter-woven, there is no water-tight separation among the departments in the course of handling issues and affairs of the Force because very often, one particular issue may require the attention of two or more departments. That is, what obtains in practice is that all the departments have coordinate powers that overlap in the process of performance of their respective duties. It is these Departmental Heads, including the Force Secretary that constitute the Nigeria Police Management Team, under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police. The Management Team makes decisions and gives directives that reflect national policies on all issues relevant to the Force.

    The NPF is further structured in line with the geo-political structure of the Country, with provisions for supervisory formations. The structure formation enables Police operations cover the internal territory of Nigeria. As at January 2019, the NPF has, across the Federation, 12 Zones, headed by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police; 36 States and FCT Command, headed by Commissioners of Police; 127 Area Commands, headed by Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP), also known as Area Commanders; 1,329 Divisions, commanded by Divisional Police Officers of the ranks of Assistant Superintendent of Police to Chief Superintendent of Police; 1,579 Police Stations, headed by Police Inspectors and; 3,756 Police Posts, headed by non-commissioned officers. The hierarchy of the Police Force therefore runs from the patrol team to the Force Headquarters. It is important to state that, there is no fixed number of Police Divisions that make up an Area Command and number of Police Stations that constitute a Police Division as their statutory creations depend on such considerations like – population density, geographical size and other security peculiarities of the respective States. The overall consideration being that every State is adequately policed.

    By its nature, the Police operational crime fighting function is felt by the populace. The relevance of the structuring of the Police to the defence and internal security of the nation can be appreciated by the totality of Police role in internal security. The whole weight of the powers and duties of the Police are spread on the balance of these structures. A periodic assessment and review of these structures to determine their relevance in the scheme of the nation’s defence mechanism has remained a traditional exercise in the Force, in order to catch up with current global policing strategies as prescribed in international defense policies.

    Roles, Mission and Powers of the Nigeria Police

    There are several laws in the country that instituted the Nigeria Police and their corresponding roles, especially the Police Act, Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) which grants the Police wide powers. According to Section 4 of Police Act 2004, the main functions of the NPF are unambiguously stated as follows:

    1. Prevention and detection of crime;
    2. Apprehension of offenders;
    3. Preservation of law and order;
    4. Protection of life and property,
    5. Enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and perform such military duties within or without Nigeria as may be required of them by, or under the authority of this or any other Act.

    In addition to the aforementioned roles, the NPF also has statutory powers to investigate crimes, interrogate suspects, prosecute suspects, grant bail to suspects pending completion of investigation or prior to court arraignments, to serve summons, and to regulate or disperse unlawful processions and assemblies. The Police are also empowered to search and seize properties suspected to be stolen or associated with crime, and to take record of the measurements, photographs and fingerprint impressions of all persons in custody for purposes of identification. The duties of the NPF are statutory and the police owe these duties to the generality of Nigerians and all other persons lawfully living within the country. They are therefore answerable to the law in performance of their duties.

    The vision of the NPF is to “make Nigeria safer and more secure for economic development and growth; to create a safe and secure environment for everyone living in Nigeria.” The mission of the NPF is to partner with other relevant security agencies and the public in gathering, collating, sharing information and intelligence with the intention of ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian citizens. This is aimed at addressing the root causes of crime while ensuring that any criminal act is investigated so as to bring the criminals to justice in a fair and professional manner. This mission also forms the tasks the Police seeks to achieve in the discharge of its statutory roles by employing community policing in order to achieve the goal of leading other agencies in law enforcement and maintenance of order within the Nigeria society.

    Society through its law gives its government wide powers for the purpose of efficient and effective preservation of law and order, protection of citizens from suffering, fear and loss of life and property produced by crime and violent conflict. The Police is inherently, the most visible symbol of any government power and authority and primary enforcement of its law; an institution of social control in the hands of those who are managers of the State.

    Domestic Policing, with Emphasis on Community Policing

    Domestic Policing is the internal Policing mechanism adopted by the Nigeria Police in the art of policing at home with a view to ensuring that law and order in the society is maintained, and that the security of citizens and the safety of their property is ensured. These tasks are performed using preventive and detective methods of policing such as foot and motorized patrols, beats patrols, surveillance, raids, escorts, investigations and prosecutions among others. In discharging these tasks, the NPF has now adopted community policing rather than the traditional ways of policing the country. The purpose of this is to ensure that the citizens are engaged in policing their society.

    In the course of implementing community policing within the domestic environment, the NPF put some strategies in place to ensure proper enforcement of the strategies. The NPF also adopted policing styles in conformity with universal norms and practices. This is encompassed in the concept of community-based policing system. It entails policing style of problem-solving approach to work, and involve the public in deciding policing priorities. To achieve this, the NPF established a section called the Community Policing and Strategy Development, headed by a Commissioner of Police. This Section was set up to provide research and analytical services such as to monitor and evaluate functions to support modern policing operations and public safety practices. It is also responsible for identifying law enforcement issues and conducting timely policy research and evaluation. In addition, the Section is to follow-up training and technical assistance on those issues that will provide information and direction to police personnel, police leaders and the community.

    In view of this, the NPF made provisions to provide the necessary guidelines for the execution and implementation of community policing, towards ensuring crime free society within the country. The establishment of the Community Policing and Development Section in the NPF has initiated the necessary strategies and also ensured proper implementation. The effective execution of these strategies would further improve the activities and operations of the NPF towards entrenching community policing concepts in our policing culture.

    International Policing and Peace Support Operations

    International policing activities of the Nigeria Police entails the engagement of the Force personnel in international duties. These duties include Peace Support Operations (PSOs) as well as Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs). The United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence sees PSOs as “an operation that impartially makes use of diplomatic, civil and military means, normally in pursuit of United Nations Charter purposes and principles to restore or maintain peace”. It is an organised international assistance initiative to support the maintenance, monitoring and building of peace and prevention of resurgent violent conflict. The Nigeria Police participation in PSOs dated back to 1960 when the Force deployed her first contingent of Individual Police Officers (IPOs), led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Louis Edet who later became the first indigenous Inspector–General of NPF to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo). This was the first time that the United Nations was deploying Police officers to a Peacekeeping operation, and Nigeria and Ghana were the first countries to be deployed.

    Deployment of IPOs continued till June, 2004 when the Force deployed her first Formed police Unit (FPU) to the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). With this deployment, Nigeria became the first country in Africa to deploy a Formed Police Unit to United Nations Peacekeeping mission. It is gratifying to note that the performance of the first FPU deployed to Liberia was highly exemplary and provoked the United Nations to request for the deployment of more Nigeria FPUs to other United Nations Peacekeeping missions. Consequently, other FPUs were deployed to DRC and Haiti in 2005. Since then, NPF has deployed FPUs to many PSOs including Darfur in Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Somalia and Mali, under the auspices of the UN, AU or ECOWAS. To a greater extent, personnel of the NPF that have served in PSOs have performed so well that they have been commended by the UNDPKO and Heads of their respective missions.

    The role played by the Nigeria Police in PSO largely depends on the nature of the mandate. In a mission with a chapter VII mandate (i.e. executive), the Police take up national policing roles in the host state (e.g. the mission in Bosnia, Kosovo, Timor Liste). Since NPF’s first PSOs deployment to Congo, the NPF has creditably participated in numerous PSOs, among which are: –

    • UN Operation in Congo (UNCE) – 1960 – 1964
    • UN Assistance Group in Namibia (UNTAG) – 1989 – 1990
    • UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) – 1992 – 1993
    • UN Protection Force – Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR) – 1992 – 1995
    • UN Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM 1,11 & 111) – 1994 – 1997
    • UN Operation in Somalia (UOISOM 1 & 11) – 1994 – 1995
    • UN Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara (MINORSO) – 1994 – 1998
    • UN Operation in Mozambique (UNMOZ) – 1994
    • UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR) – 1994
    • UN Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina (UNMIBIH) – 1995 – 2002
    • UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNMEAT) – 1999 – 2012
    • UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) – 1999 – 2005
    • UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) – 1999 – 2012
    • UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) – 2005 – 2011
    • African Mission in Sudan (AMIS) – 2004 – 2007
    • UN Operations in Burundi (ONUB) – 2004 – 2006
    • UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) – 2007 – 2009.

    As at 31st January 2018, the current deployment of Nigeria Police to different PSOs across the globe stands at Five Hundred and Fifty-Five (555) personnel covering Individual Police Officers (IPOs), FPUs and officers on secondment. At present, a total of 396 officers and men of the NPF are participating in different types of missions abroad. These include IPOs to AMISOM, MINUSMA, UNAMID DARFUR, UN Mission in South Sudan, UN Mission in Congo, MINUJUSTH, and ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau. The Force also sent FPUs to UN Mission in Mali and AU Mission in Somalia. The continued participation of the Nigeria Police in PSOs has indeed exposed personnel of the Force to modern day policing strategies that have been immensely beneficial to the Force and to the Nation in general.

    Constraints to Nigeria Police Operational Efficiency

    The Nigeria Police Force is faced with many challenges that are militating against its operational effectiveness among which are as enumerated hereunder:

    Inadequate Manpower

    The NPF most important asset is its personnel. As stated earlier, the manpower strength of the NPF at the inception of democratic governance was 112,000 Policemen and women to police about 119.3 million citizens. However, with series of recruitments under the Police Reform Agenda, the current strength of the Police is approximately 300,000 personnel. The number of the officers to the population which stood at ratio of 1:563. This figure is inadequate with the estimated population of approximately 180 million.

    The precarious manpower situation is further compounded by the practice of deploying a large number of Policemen on non-Police duties or duties that could be performed by other bodies or private security guards. This is exemplified in the use of a large number of Policemen especially in urban centres for such duties as protection of VIPs, guarding private homes and provision of security at social gatherings among others. However, the Inspector General of Police is currently reviewing this situation, especially as the general election is fast approaching which obviously require adequate manpower in order to ensure maximum protection before, during and after the electioneering processes. In addition, concerted efforts are being made by the Federal Government to recruit more personnel into the Force under the present administration.

    Logistics and Infrastructure

    Inadequate means of transportation and fuelling of vehicles has impaired patrols and response to calls for assistance by the public. Sometimes the Police had failed to pursue a criminal because there is no vehicle at the station.  The Police require a large fleet of serviceable vehicles for mobility. It is recommended that a Police Station should have a minimum of four land rovers, two lorries, four crime branch vehicles, eight patrol vehicles and two motorcycles for routine patrols. Regrettably, the limited available operational vehicles are not fuelled regularly due to paucity of fund. With scarcity and cost of spare parts, many operational vehicles have been grounded and this is yet to receive desired attention. This position continues to affect the operational effectiveness of the Police, especially in terms of crime prevention.

    Insufficient Funding

    Over the years, the NPF fiscal appropriation has been inadequate towards ensuring effective discharge of its constitutional duties. This is reflected in the Force operational efficiency. The annual budgetary allocation to the Force especially with regards to Capital and Overhead cost does not in any way reflect the enormous size, scope of responsibility and actual needs of the Force.

    With insufficient funds made available to the NPF, much has not been allocated for maintenance of the Force operational vehicles. Even the little fund being allocated is not usually released on time. Going by the importance of serviceable vehicles to the NPF, the effect of deficits in fund released is drastically affecting its operational effectiveness in the face of the contemporary security challenges which ranges from armed robbery, burglary, rape, incessant killings, farmers-herdsmen clashes, banditry, among others that the country is facing. Most equipment and operational vehicles of the Force are supported and maintained by State Governments and other well-meaning Nigerians and organisations. Thus, revealing the inability of the NPF to solely operate effectively due to insufficient fund. Therefore, it is important for the Nigerian government to consider increasing and ensure full and speedy release of fund allocation to the NPF. In this instance, the Police Trust Fund Bill before the National Assembly could be speedily approved. In the recent past, the National Assembly has made progress in this direction.

    Poor Motivation/Welfare of Officers and Men

    The general welfare of officers and men of the NPF is not too encouraging. For instance, most officers and men lack habitable barracks, thereby affecting their service delivery to the nation. This does not in any way motivate the personnel for effective performance. Even though there are some welfare schemes available in the NPF, study conducted by Oyebade (2018) revealed that the services provided by these schemes are not enough to motivate its personnel for enhanced operational efficiency. As we all know, the level of operational efficiency of any organization is closely tied to the nature of motivation available to its personnel. The motivation factors in the NPF are not adequately encouraging. These, in combination with a host of other issues continue to dampen the morale of officers and men, thereby negatively affecting the operational efficiency of the Force.

    Public Perception

    The potency of the Nigeria Police in investigating crime is diminishing as public confidence in the Police has been eroded. The Police are often accused of the abuse of fundamental human rights by the Nigerian citizens, Human Rights Watch and other human right agencies. This continue to demoralise the Officers and men of the NPF thereby affecting their operational efficiency. In order to correct this anomaly, the NPF is implementing community policing that is bridging the gap between the police and the communities. The police/public partnership and community relations in crime prevention and control continue to get better.

    Future Perspectives and Policy Direction

    In term of crime prevention and control, which is most germane to our great country, the NPF has re-organised its Criminal Intelligence Bureau and is strengthening the Force Criminal Investigation Department with necessary logistics support, communications, transportation and other necessary facilities for intelligence gathering as well as timely and successful investigation. In addition, the IGP is on the track of strengthening strategic partnerships with all segments of the Nigerian society, including the traditional institutions, traders’ associations, National Union of Road and Transport Workers, trade unions and other necessary Non-Governmental Organizations within the country in order to enhance public support for its crime prevention efforts.

    Beat and patrol are the most basic functions of police operations where frontline officers are in contact with ordinary citizens of the country. Accordingly, our regular patrol of all national road networks and waterways is absolutely necessary for effective policing, prevention and detection of crime. In this respect, the Force support services; K9 (Dog Section), Mounted Troops are now been overhauled in order to ensure adequate crowd control. In addition, all urban areas in the Country will be provided with motorised patrols with appropriate communication equipment connected to similarly endowed Base Stations. For prompt and effective policing of urban neighbourhoods, the NPF is determined to reorganise and equip flash points with maps, motorcycles, bicycles and appropriate communication gadgets (walkie-talkie) that will be linked with Police Stations.

    The need for comprehensive training of officers, both locally and internationally is imperative for efficient service delivery. To this end the IGP has directed the review and reform of all existing training curriculum in the Force in order to meet its strategic training objectives. In addition, a NEED assessment on the Training Institutions particularly with a view to attracting and retaining the right personnel in the Force is part of the IGP’s agenda. The IGP has also initiated sustainable training and capacity building programmes aimed at bridging deep manpower competency gap in the Force. This will strengthen the quality of strategic police leadership and prepare the Force for future policing challenges in the country.

    On provision of infrastructure, the police leadership is on the course of facilitating the construction of more decent homes for officers and men through a robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The partnership would bring about construction of low-cost houses for members of the NPF nationwide. With this, officers and men of the NPF will be motivated for effective service delivery thereby enhancing the Force operational efficiency. The IGP have strategies for proper implementation of the various welfare schemes (Insurance, Pension, Medical, among others), to ensure motivation of the personnel.

    Information and Communication Technology (ICT) play critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s internal security against potential crimes. Thus, it helps to identify potential threats, provide mechanisms and develop response capabilities for intelligence led policing in the country. In its bid to provide a viable information and communication network necessary to support intra and inter State police operations, as well as platform for interfacing seamlessly with relevant security agencies, the NPF is developing or reviewing where necessary, the Force ICT policy in line with the National ICT policy and other extant instruments. To ensure adequate use of ICT in the Force, the IGP has set the stage to equip at least 70% of police officers with necessary ICT skills for operational efficiency and improved public service delivery by the end of December 2020.

    Towards the forthcoming election, the IGP  has deviced some strategic and action plans in order to ensure an enabling environment that will guarantee security of officials, electorates and electoral materials before, during and after the elections despite the challenges facing the Force. These plans include:

    1. Effective deployment of officers and men for the elections.
    2. Each officer will be provided with an aid memoire on roles of the police in election monitoring and management.

    iii.        Proactive patrol of all nooks and crannies of the nation.

    1. Timely apprehension of would-be electoral offenders.
    2. To ensure that all Electoral offences are professionally investigated to a logical conclusion.
    3. To ensure diligent prosecution of all electoral cases.

    However, inter-agency cooperation and collaboration is key in our policing perspective.

    Conclusion

    The NPF made provisions to provide the necessary guidelines for the execution and implementation of its statutory duties towards strengthening and ensuring a crime free society. This is complemented by the establishment of the Community Policing and Development Section that initiated necessary strategies and also ensure its implementation. However, in the discharge of its duties, the Force is faced with numerous challenges that is affecting its operational efficiency. Thus, policing a nation like Nigeria is not to be left for the Police alone, but must be seen as collective responsibility of all. Therefore, it is important for the general populace to partner with the NPF in order to assist its vision of building the people’s Police of our dream.

    Thank you for listening!

    References

    CLEEN Foundation (2008) Motions without Movement, Lagos: CLEEN Foundation.

    Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

    Nigeria Police Act 2004

    Nigeria Police Force Criminal Procedure

    Nigeria Police Force Criminal Procedure Act

    Oyebade, A.O. (2018), Motivation and Operational Efficiency in the Nigeria Police Force: An Appraisal (An Individual Research Project Submitted to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, in partial fulfilment for the award of Member of the National Institute, mni).

  • DBI inaugurates $1m lab in Abuja

    An ultra-modern laboratory worth $1million has been inaugurated at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Abuja.

    The Telecommunication Network Equipment Laboratory to promote skills workforce was donated by Huawei Technologies Nigeria.

    According to the Administrator of DBI, Mr. Ike Adinde, investment in skilled workforce is not only the way to go particularly for a developing economy like Nigeria, but crucial given the potentials and opportunities available in the country.

    Addressing guest at the inauguration of the laboratory, Mr Adinde said: “In an increasingly globalised world, there is the urgent need for us to train and make available to the industry highly skilled human resources to serve as key drivers of the economy.

    “It is in response to these challenges that the DBI has built this ultra-modern Lab to train and equip Nigerians with relevant ICT skills for the 21st century to tackle challenges presented by the fourth industrial revolution which requires tailor-made solutions that keep pace with the ever-evolving telecom industry.‘’

    Adinde said the laboratory project was started last July with the donation of a complement of modern telecom equipment by Huawei Technologies to DBI.

    He said the laboratory has transmission equipment and ultra-modern next-Generation Core Network Switching Centre that give a complete end-to-end telecoms scenario.

    “One major benefit of the equipment is that it uses real-world industrial quality components to help students become better prepared for what they will encounter on the job.

    “The lab is equally effective for technicians, engineers, field workers and anyone needing further understanding and skills in wireless telecommunications,” he said.

    DBI Chairman Mr Titi Omo-Ettu said the inauguration represented a leap in the efforts of the institute to provide qualitative hands with practical telecommunications and ICT training.

    Omo-Ettu said the development of skilled workforce across all sectors of the economy had become a national priority.

    He said: “We are keenly aware that there is a global shift from natural resources as a basis for national competitiveness to human resources underpinned by knowledge innovation.

    “Interestingly, it is also increasingly evident that innovation is not about academic qualifications or certificates, the emphasis is on skills and creative abilities of the individual.”

  • Yahaya takes over as 1 Div GOC

    Major General Faruk Yahaya has taken over command as General Officer Commanding (GOC), of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna.

    He took over from Major Gen. Mohammed Mohammed who served as GOC from October 26, 2017, until his transfer to head the Signals Corps.

    Yahaya who was the Army Secretary, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, told officers and men of the division to be professional and responsive in the discharge of their constitutional roles, adding “I expect nothing less, but more.”

    He urged them to support him in consolidating the achievements recorded under the outgoing GOC, assuring that he would be decisive and professional handling situations.

    Yahaya stressed that their operations must be guided by rules of engagement.

    “I urge you all to remain steadfast. We should be apolitical and be committed to our areas of responsibility.

    Read Also: Call Yahaya Bello to order, senatorial candidate tells Buhari

    “You must conduct yourselves well and be professional in the discharge of your duties,” the GOC added.

    The outgoing GOC had expressed appreciation to all for their tremendous support during his 15- month stint as GOC and urged them to redouble their support and cooperation to the new GOC.

    Mohammed said it was important to work as a team in order to ensure stability in the command’s area of operation.

    He charged the officers and men to remain apolitical and “support the civil authority in discharging their constitutional responsibilities.”

  • Polls: Clinton boycotts Abuja Peace-Pact meeting

    Former United States of America’s (USA) President Bill Clinton will not be in Abuja on Wednesday for the second National Peace Accord signing ahead of the general elections.

    Clinton, according to the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar led Peace Accord committee was expected to deliver a keynote address at the event slated for the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja.

    Clinton, the committee said, was expected to hold meetings with President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar aimed at nipping threats of unrest in the bud.

    But a statement by Clinton’s spokesman Angel Ureña regretted the former President’s visit might be politicised in a way that is not in line with the goals of the committee.

    The statement said: “President Clinton appreciates General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the Nigerian National Peace Committee’s invitation to travel to Nigeria.

    Read Also; Bill Clinton, Scotland to witness second signing of the national peace accord

    “He is incredibly supportive and respectful of the committee’s efforts, of the election process, and of the work being done to try to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, and transparent outcome.

    “This is a crucial time in Nigeria, and President Clinton is hopeful that the election’s outcome reflects the will of the Nigerian people.

    “Over the course of the last several days, and after various conversations with the different stakeholders, it’s become apparent that President Clinton’s visit to Nigeria has the potential to be politicized in a way that is not in line with the goals of the committee. Therefore, he will not be traveling to Abuja.

    “He looks forward to talking to both candidates and General Abubarkar this week.“