The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Arase

  • Acting IG accuses Arase of taking away 24 police vehicles

    Acting IG accuses Arase of taking away 24 police vehicles

    •‘It’s not true, acting IG being vindictive’

    Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has asked his predecessor Solomon Arase to return the excess number of police vehicles he took away on departure from office.

    He accused the former IG of taking away 24 vehicles including top of the range armoured BMW cars.

    Idris has written to Arase to return at least 20 vehicles, saying he should not have more than four cars as part of his severance package.

    He added that some of the retired Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), took away as many as eight vehicles.

    The acting IG has also launched a probe into irregular promotion in the police and the management of police investments.

    Speaking at the Force Headquarters in Abuja yesterday, Idris said: “A week before I was announced (appointed), if you looked through my office window, you could see so many cars. But the cars all disappeared when I came in. What I did was to assign a directive to the Special Investigative Unit (SFU) to investigate all vehicles’ purchases and donations to the police in the last three years as well as their positions.

    “When I took over, there were no vehicles. I discovered that the last IG went away with 24 vehicles including two BMWs. The DIGs some took seven, others eight. And they left me with an old vehicle. Even the one I followed the President with – the last time I went for an engagement – the President asked what I was doing with that kind of vehicle. The headlight has changed colour, which means it was parked for long under the rain.

    “But the new ones that were bought, including an Armoured BMW 7 series, he took them away. So, I wrote to him and reminded him that when a policeman retires as IG, DIG, AIG or CP, he is entitled to some vehicles. And so, he should take his entitlement and return the extra. I believe four vehicles are enough for an average person. What does one need 24 vehicles for?”

    Efforts to reach Arase failed last night but a source close to him said he could not have taken 24 vehicles. According to the source, the acting IG is only being vindictive having been queried by Arase for a wrong doing as an AIG.

    Idris further explained yesterday that he had concluded plans to investigate the irregularities in promotion saying due diligence will be done.

    Narrating his encounter with policemen during a visit to Maiduguri, Idris who said he could feel the pains of those who felt marginalised as a result of the irregular promotion, recalled that he spent five years as Commissioner of Police, while some of his juniors were promoted above him.

    “Before I travelled to Maiduguri, last week to be precise, I got a petition from the House of Representatives on Police promotion. Many police officers are not happy with the irregular promotion.

    “I said it in my inaugural speech that the police will be run as a democratic institution that is responsible, accountable and representative. That is the police that Nigerian people need.

    “Because we are supposed to be responsive for the yearnings of the people to be realized, the issue of promotion can dampen spirits. I know how it feels. I was CP for five years while some of my colleagues who became CP were made AIGs within two years. So, I know how it feels.

    “We have discussed it before I travelled. The new management will investigate the recent promotions. We will constitute a panel to see if the promotions were done in line with the Police Service Commission (PSC) rules.

    “This is a Constitutional issue. There is a policy and we need to find out if these promotions were done in accordance with laid down principles.”

    On allegations of contract inflation and corruption against the previous administration, Idris said audits into police investments are ongoing, adding that he would probe his predecessor if there was evidence of corruption against him.

    According to him, the findings of the ongoing audits of police investments and subsidiaries would also determine whether Arase’s regime will be probed.

    “This is because every policeman from the IG to the Constable contributes to these investments. These are people’s properties. So I will make those units transparent and accountable. I have to know if this money is utilised with some measure of morality and accountability. So, we will know what action to take based on the audit report.

    “On corruption, if there are complains, we will investigate. I have heard a lot of rumours but as a policeman, we work based on evidence. We will investigate when there is evidence, we will take action.”

    Idris also vowed to investigate allegations of extortion of policemen who stay in the barracks in the guise of accommodation fee. He insisted that living in any police barrack is free.

    Asked of his plans to contain armed violence across the country, Idris said his team was focusing on intelligence-based policing by strengthening community and neighbourhood alertness.

    He explained that his drive to ensure security, propelled the massive redeployment of policemen across the country, adding that most of those serving at their previous postings might have been compromised.

    “Very much is expected from us especially from the Rank and File. They believe in me because I have been training policemen for five years. They believe I will be able to change things and so I cannot disappoint them.

    “Their welfare is my priority. I believe each policeman should own an accommodation. It is good for the conventional policemen to mix up with the civilian populace. Only the special forces should stay in the barracks,” he said.

    The IGP restated his commitment to strengthen the Police Mobile Force, insisting that they will be withdrawn from VIPs to be the strike force that they are.

    He denied being responsible for the mass retirement of DIGS and AIGs, noting that it was not the first time such would take place after the appointment of a new IG.

  • Last minute promotion by Arase should not stand

    The essence of promotion is hinged on gingering a person for enhancement of his or her capacity towards getting result. In a normal setting, promotion is based on the performance of an officer while discharging his or her official function.

    It is in the light of this, the parting gift of promotion done by the erstwhile Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, just a few days to his exit, should be reversed because those who benefited were mostly his closest aides, who spent three years on a rank and were promoted. Some of these aides were his former Principal Staff Officer, and some other officers who did not spend two years on their ranks and were promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners. They enjoyed this promotion while their course mates are still Chief Superintendents.

    This kind of promotion is demoralising and could dampen the spirit of the personnel of the force. Some have put in more than twenty-seven years, but were not considered for promotion. It is quite annoying that the former Inspector-General only considered his aides and recommended them for promotion while there were countless number of qualified officers.

    It is imperative for President Muhammadu Buhari to wade into the issue by revisiting the promotion.

    By Danladi Garba

    Jimeta, Yola

    Adamawa State.

     

  • Police await new chief as Inspector-Gen. Arase bows out

    Police await new chief as Inspector-Gen. Arase bows out

    Commission approves promotion of 4,542 senior police officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 4,542 Senior Police Officers to their next ranks between May and June.

    This information was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission.

    The statement said seven Commissioners of Police were elevated to the rank of AIG and six Deputy Commissioners of Police to Commissioners of Police.

    Also, 20 Assistant Commissioners of Police became Deputy Commissioners of Police while eight SPs moved to ACs, 107 SPs to CSPs, 1,431 DSPs to SPs, 1,252 ASPs to DSPs and 1,711 to Inspectors of Police.

    The statement said three DCPs, five ACPs, four CSPs, three SPs, five DSPs and 127 ASPs were promoted on acting appointments.

    It said the commission approved special promotion for 16 officers based on exceptional performance and dedication to duty on the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police.

    The statement said two officers were promoted on account of gallantry while 188 others were placed on acting appointments of their next rank.

    The statement said the chairman of the commission, Mr Mike Okiro, urged the officers to reciprocate government gesture by rededicating themselves to the service of the nation.

    He promised that the commission would continue to ensure that deserving policemen were promoted as at when due to serve as motivation for effective and efficient service.

    Okiro enjoined them to ensure that they were guided by the approved rules and regulations of the Force and that they operated with the fear of God.

    He said the commission would continue to ensure that the promotion of policemen was regular to serve as a tonic for effective and efficient service.

    The chairman noted that the commission would continue to evolve guidelines and programmes that would improve efficiency in the Force.

    •Disquiet in
    the police over
    ‘irregular’ promotion

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase quits today. Arase is the 18th indigenous IGP.

    He was appointed in April last year by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Officers and men of the Force are anxiously awaiting President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of successor.

    Force spokesperson Olabisi Kolawole said: “The IG’s tenure will end today and we don’t know who the next IG will be as I speak.

    “Even the IGP does not know but maybe he will know later today (yesterday)  or tomorrow (today) but as we speak now, we are all in the dark. I am sure we will know tomorrow and  will communicate it to you.”

    Arase yesterday decorated four Assistant-Inspectors General of Police. They are AIGs Tili Abubakar, Opadokun John, Ogunbayode David and Dorothy Gimba.

    Arase urged them to work harder wherever they were posted to.

    He said: “The position you are today requires a lot of responsibility.’’

    Abubakar, who responded for others, promised their dedication to duty and loyalty to the force.

    “We will remain more dedicated and loyal to the police force.

    “We will continue to uphold the good tenets of the Nigeria police force’’, he said.

    He expressed gratitude to the I-G for finding them worthy for promotion.

    Some policemen have expressed displeasure over the promotion of 14 officers to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

    Those promoted are: Nkechi Enehikuere; Juliana Abah; Abdulkadir Jimoh; Garba Baba; Joseph Egbunike; Jonathan Towuru; Adeleke Bode and Muri Musa.

    Others are: Magu Mustafa; Lawal Tanko; Celestine Eluemelu; Edward Ajogun; Sylvester Alabi and David Igbodo.

    Some of those left out are crying foul over alleged “lack of due process”

    The officers, who are unwilling to give their names, alleged that with exception of Enehikuere, Abah, Jimoh, Baba and Egbunike, the PSC left out many senior officers who have attended and passed their Senior Staff course.

    “Because the IGP is going out, he has jumped the gun in recommending some of his loyalists for promotion, “ an officer said.

    Also yesterday, Arase inaugurated a police officers’ mess and 35 suites.

    Arase said as the head of the force, the welfare of men of the Nigeria police was his top priority.

    “As long as I am the Inspector-General of Police, the welfare of my men is my number one priority.

    “I am very unapologetic about the welfare of police officers,’’he said.

    He said the project would help solve the accommodation problem being faced by officers when they come to Abuja on official duty.

    DIG Mamman Tsafe, in charge of Logistics and Supply, said accommodation was a complicated problem for the police.

    He said the project would rake in revenue for the force if its maintenance was sustained.

    Tsafe hailed Arase for his vision and commitment to complete the project started by former Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo, in 2009.

    Other projects inaugurated by Arase included the commissioners’ quarters and the police finance building.

  • Arase decorates four promoted AIGs of police

    Arase decorates four promoted AIGs of police

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will conduct an investigation into the alleged case of forgery against some principal officers of the Senate.

    The National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, made this known to reporters in Abuja.

    He said the investigation would ascertain the truth in the allegation.

    It would be recalled that President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Mr Ike Ekweremadu and some officers of the upper chamber were accused of forging the Senate’s Standing Rules in 2015.

    “At this stage I don’t think there is anything to say. In fact everything is still a guess work.

    “Nobody has said yes or they have been arrested or asked to make statement or whatever. As a party we do not think it is the business of the party to interfere in judicial matters of that nature.

    “We will just wait and see as we are also making investigations to be sure what the situation is,’’ Odigie-Oyegun said.

    On allegation that the party leadership wanted the Senate leadership removed for lack of cordial relationship with the executive, the Chairman said: “No, no, no; this is the kind of problem that the press always cause.

    “You are now taking the sensational aspect. You are forgetting the nitty-gritty. Did what they say really happen? That is what you should look at.

    “Take the two copies (the new copy and the old copy) of the Senate rules and see if there is a difference. If there is a difference, at what formal meeting was it approved and adopted?

    “You should start from this so that when you are commenting it would not be sensation, it would be based on fact and reality.

    “You see, we have to change the way we do things in this country; we have to start telling people what is right and what is wrong and to choose what is right as against what is wrong.

    “This is where I expect you to start. Don’t start making it party versus ex-issue. The point would be: was an offence committed? Establish that first and then you can move on,’’ he said.

     

  • ‎IGP orders closure of PDP secretariat

    ‎IGP orders closure of PDP secretariat

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has ordered the shutdown of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat.

    Arase also gave the party one week to resolve its crisis.

    A statement issued by the Force Spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole, said the IGP took the decision at a meeting with stakeholders of the party in Abuja.

    “In a bid to finding a lasting solution to the protracted crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, convened a meeting with all stakeholders in his Abuja office on Friday and called for peace among the parties, particularly Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi,

    “After exhaustive deliberations, in the meeting that was also attended by the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, each of the factions – Sen Ali Modu Sherif’s and Sen Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi’s-led factions agreed to nominate four representatives, each, for peace talks to arrive at a harmonized position within one week.

    “The PDP Secretariat at Wadata House Plaza and Legacy House should be under lock and key pending the outcome of the resolution,” the statement said.

     

  • Arase: Police welfare reward card scheme will check corruption

    Arase: Police welfare reward card scheme will check corruption

    The Police Welfare Reward Card (POLCARD) scheme will help to address the challenge of corruption in the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Solomon Arase, has said.

    Arase made the remark at the inauguration of the scheme for serving and retired officers of the force in Abuja on Thursday.

    “It is my expectation that this scheme will further our commitment to addressing the challenge of corruption in the Nigeria police,“he said.

    He explained that the card has an in built N100, 000 palliative for both serving and retired officers in time of casualty in the line of duty.

    The I-G explained that the card has two to forty per cent discount for transactions that takes place in over 100 sales outlets and discount on school fees for children of holders.

    “Other benefits include immediate credit facility for financial emergency to both serving and retired officers of the force,“he said.

    Arase commended the Four Solution Multi-Concept for the initiative to support the leadership of the force in addressing the welfare needs of its personnel.

    The police boss urged all serving police personnel to key into the scheme.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Four Solution Multi-Concept, Mr Adeolu Adewumi, said the scheme would reduce corruption in the police force.

    He said the initiative was an African brand tailored in line with the cashless policy of government.

    Adewumi said interested subscribers could register online by making payments and uploading their passport photographs and that of their dependents.

  • Police welfare scheme will check corruption – Arase

    The Police Welfare Reward Card (POLCARD) scheme will help to address the challenge of corruption in the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has said.

    Arase made the remark at the inauguration of the scheme for serving and retired officers of the force in Abuja on Thursday.

    “It is my expectation that this scheme will further our commitment of addressing the problem of corruption in the Nigeria police,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the IGP as saying at the forum.

    He said the card has an in built N100, 000 palliative for both serving and retired officers in time of casualty in the line of duty.

    The IGP noted that the card has two to 40 per cent discount for transactions that takes place in over 100 sales outlets and discount on school fees for children of holders.

    “Other benefits include immediate credit facility for financial emergency to both serving and retired officers of the force, “ he added.

    Arase commended the Four Solution Multi-Concept for  supporting the leadership of the force in the quest to address the welfare needs of its personnel.

    He urged all serving police personnel to key into the scheme.

    Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Four Solution Multi-Concept, Mr. Adeolu Adewumi, said the scheme would reduce corruption in the police force.

  • Arase warns officers against abuse of power, extra-judicial means

    Arase warns officers against abuse of power, extra-judicial means

    Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase has warned policemen against the use of force or extra-judicial means in carrying out their constitutional mandate.

    Arase gave the warning while inaugurating the ultra-modern Nigeria police forensic laboratory and digital resource centre in Abuja on Wednesday.

    “Let me remind you that modern policing is no longer by power, might or extra-judicial means.

    “It is driven by application of technology, forensic science, intelligence and above all, citizens’ consent.

    “The asset being commission today is a traditional scientific investigation tool of police departments all over the world,“ he said.

    He said that with the inauguration of the centre, the force had equipped officers with the vital tool to guide their operations.

    “You now have no excuse to operate in an unprofessional manner, “he said.

    He said that biometric support to policing was not only a source of police intelligence, but also an aid to successful investigation and prosecution of criminal elements.

    Arase noted that the police had over the years grappled with weak forensic capacity in managing complex criminal situations.

    He said that the centre was designed to bridge this capacity gap in the force in relation to forensic assets.

    Arase said that the facility would complement the existing forensic laboratory in Lagos.

    He added that the centre had the capacity for accessing over five million law enforcement research materials such as journals and reports.

    Earlier, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of (FCIID), Mr Christopher Katso, said the facility would facilitate prompt prosecution of cases by the police.

    He said that it would also compliment similar platforms established by the force, adding that it would reduce the hardship associated with the operations of the force.

    From the centre, officers can conduct research from any aspect of policing through the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID).

     

  • IPOB members will be arraigned for murder – Arase

    IPOB members will be arraigned for murder – Arase

    The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has directed that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who were arrested in connection with the killing of three policemen on Monday be charged for murder.

    He also ordered the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIG) and the Commissioners of Police in the affected areas to immediately disarm members of the group.

    Arase while condemning the killing by IPOB members also directed that any member found in possession of firearm be arrested and brought to justice.

    The Force Spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole, stated these in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The statement said: “IGP Arase also directed the arrest of any member of the group found in possession of firearm and bring him or her to deserved justice, while all IPOB activists arrested in connection with the killing of the policemen should be charged to court for murder.”

  • Reps to Arase: Don’t replace firearms with stun guns

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to shelf the plan to introduce stun guns to replace firearms for the force until when the state of insecurity in the country would have abated reasonably.

    The House resolution followed the passage of a motion by a member, Hon. Ayodele Oladimeji and the adoption of the motion.

    It was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Police Affairs.

    Oladimeji while presenting the motion said the IGP recently announced that police will soon replace firearms with stun guns to reduce casualties resulting from misuse of firearms by police personnel.

    He said, “The current high rate of robberies, kidnappings, abductions and general insecurity of lives and property in Nigeria need strong, conceited and unrelenting efforts of well- equipped police force to combat.”