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Tag: Ibrahim Idris

  • Idris urges cooperation among African nations on policing

    Idris urges cooperation among African nations on policing

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has called for closer cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and other countries in Africa to ensure effective policing on the continent.

    A statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said the IGP made the call when he visited the head of Moroccan Police in Rabat, Morocco.

    He said public involvement in security was crucial for the curtailment of criminal activities.

    Idris said the present Nigeria Police leadership was prepared to work with any country towards ensuring protection of lives and property.

    “We want to see a crime-free society such that law abiding citizens can always go to bed with their two eyes closed,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, the IGP has pledged commitment to the welfare of personnel for enhanced productivity.

    He made the pledge when he visited the Royal Police Academy in Kenitra, Morocco.

    Idris said improvement in the welfare of police officers was critical to their morale.

    ‘’Increase in the welfare of staff will boost their morale, while capacity building programme will enhance their performance,” he said.

    NAN

     

     

  • IGP set up panel to probe payment for promotion

    IGP set up panel to probe payment for promotion

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has set up a special Investigation Panel to investigate complaints and allegations credited to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isah Hamma Misau.

    The Senator had alleged that Police Officers pay bribe for special promotion.

    The Panel has upon the directive of the IG invited Senator Misau to provide more details that would assist them to conduct a very discreet investigation into his complaints and allegations, and those of other aggrieved Police officers.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja Friday by the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood.

    The terms of reference of the Panel which has two weeks to submit its findings include: “To investigate other complaints, petitions and grievances from Police Officers within the Force and from other members of the public on allegations of giving money for promotion, either special or otherwise.

    “To determine the substance of the complaints, petitions and grievances from aggrieved Police Officers and members of the public on allegations of giving money for special promotion.

    “To determine those who were involved, to recommend appropriate judicial action and other punishments as it is Amaechi sacks Station Manager, Ticket Seller, others for ticket racketeering  in line with the provisions of Public Service Rules Section 030401 (j) (k) and other statutory enabling laws/Acts”.

     

  • Promotion Scandal: Osinbajo urged to extend anti-corruption searchlight to Police

    Promotion Scandal: Osinbajo urged to extend anti-corruption searchlight to Police

    A lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi has called on the Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to intercede in alleged one-sided promotion exercise about to commence in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

    Olajengbesi, who spoke during a media briefing on Friday in Abuja disclosed that about 72 aggrieved security officers had lodged complaints over denial of their promotions.

    He raised accusations that officers of the force were often elevated based on ethnicity and relationships rather than merit.

    The lawyer, who is a member of United Global Resolve for Peace, a civil society organization criticized the development describing it as such capable of discouraging the officers from diligently performing their responsibilities.

    He appealed to Osinbajo to direct the Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Sir Mike Okiro to probe several concerns and ensure equity and fairness in the forthcoming promotional exercise.

    “There is currently a development in the Police. For over six years, the police have been exposed to reckless promotion scandal. You are also aware that there is currently promotion process going on and we are surprised that this process is also enmeshed in a lot of dirtiness, reckless abuse of opportunities, favoritism and some of those acts that doesn’t glorify any nation that practices democracy.

    “So we decided to call you to give caution to the Nigerian state and call on the acting president to ensure that the anti-corruption searchlight should be extended quickly to the police,” Olajengbesi said.

    He warned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris and PSC chairman to desist from wrong acts capable of demeaning the force.

    “Now that the police are becoming determined in their duties, then people in authority must also treat all police force members with all forms of respect and dignity. Our demand is that everyone who is due for promotion should be promoted.

    “When people diligently work in a particular organization and they are entitled to certain promotions, when they are denied of these promotions, it amount to great discouragement. It will affect their psyche and this is becoming today’s value system,” he added.

    In his remark, Executive Director of the organization, Olaseni Shalom said the organization has decided to open an electronic mail to enable every aggrieved police officer suffering from the same segregation express their concerns.

    He disclosed plans to engage in advocacy visits to the PSC and subsequently write a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to demand for list of those who had been promoted, in order to ascertain if the Service was biased or otherwise.

    Olaseni restated commitment of the group to take up the fight on behalf of the marginalized police officers across the nation.

  • Nigeria not ripe for state police, say Idris, others

    Nigeria not ripe for state police, say Idris, others

    The Inspector- General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and other eminent Nigerians said on Friday the country was not ripe for state police.

    They insisted state police would compound the country’s security challenges.

    They all spoke at a public lecture organised by the IGP in Lagos.

    The theme of the lecture was: “Providing Strategic Solutions to Emergent Security Challenges: The Essentials of Synergy Amongst Security Agencies and Civil Populace.”

    Speakers at the event attended by Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Dambazau, Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, former IGPs, Musiliu Smith and Sunday Ehindero, and heads of military and para-military establishments among others, insisted that the country should concern itself more with ensuring adequate funding for the police.

    They recalled that the police had attempted the strategy in the 1980s and 90s, when it deployed officers from the rank of Deputy Superintendent (DSP) and below to their respective local government areas which failed abysmally.

    According to them, one of the reasons it never succeeded was because those officers were caught between performing their constitutional roles and aiding their kinsmen, who found themselves in one criminal situation or the other.

    Commending the IGP for the lecture, Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, said it was quite reflective of the nation’s desire.

    Admitting that the issue of state police has not gained desired consensus, the governor insisted that it was the solution to the country’s security challenges.

    He said: “I am sure that the guest speaker who is widely acclaimed in the field of security administration and management, Prof. Etannibi Alemika, would provide a window that should lead to the development of strategies that are appropriate for a knowledge and technology driven 21st century policing.

    “The nature and sophistication of crime and criminal activities changes in direct proportion to human advancement. Developing effective solution to emerging security challenges must therefore take into consideration, the deployment of appropriate technology and strengthening the bond with the people through community policing.

    “Although the issue of state police has not gained the desired consensus, I believe strongly that it is the panacea for effective policing that is community based. Given the complexity of security challenges, the imperative for a safe and secured environment for investment, we established the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC).

    “This initiative is driven by our firm conviction that credible intelligence is the bedrock of an effective security strategy. This organisation, with membership recruited from the local community, will interface between the security agencies and the public by providing intelligence for crime prevention.

    “It is a common knowledge that the numerical strength of the Nigeria Police as at today falls short of the minimum requirements relative to our population. For instance, Lagos State, with a population of over 22 million, has less than 30,000 officers and men.

    “While this shortfall can be bridged, to some extent, with the deployment of appropriate technology, the need for a close relationship between the people and the police hinged on mutual respect and trust cannot be over emphasised.

    “The unfortunate tragedies and trauma caused by the ‘Badoo’ crime incidents in Ikorodu area is a challenge that government has responded to with the community playing a major role in support of security agencies. The same can also be said about the menace of kidnapping, which is becoming a malignant security issue.

    “We have recorded appreciable progress in dealing with these social vices and we would not relent until these criminal phenomena and the likes are uprooted wherever they exist within the nooks and crannies of the state.

    “We should utilise the opportunities afforded by this platform to thoroughly examine the peculiarities  of security challenges in Nigeria and proffer suggestions that would lead to the development of strategies that would help in curbing crime and other social vices especially in the metropolitan areas with high population convergence.”

    Earlier, the IGP noted that proliferation of security agencies was cresting unhealthy rivalry in the system, urging that government should adequately fund exiting ones to do their constitutional duties.

    He said that the police crime prevention and detection strategies have worked since his assumption of office, citing the arrests and/or death of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers.

    “Most heinous crimes especially kidnapping and armed robberies are being detected with great success. More than 1,000 kidnap and armed robbery suspects have been arrested and over 270 of them in July alone. Many of them are being prosecuted in various courts across the country. Efforts are daily made to arrest other suspected kidnappers and bandits in various parts of the country,” Idris said.

     

     

  • Police arrest 40 more suspected kidnappers

    Police arrest 40 more suspected kidnappers

    The Nigeria Police Force said it had arrested 40 suspects in connection with Kidnapping and armed robbery in Rijana area of Kaduna State.

    The suspects are : Ali Bello, the leader of the gang, Guma Shehu, a vicious and notorious criminal, Daniel Iwobi, Bashir Haruna, Aminu Mohammed,Buba Takuti, Egwuonu Ogiri, Abba Aliyu and Abdullahi Adamu among others.

    The Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood who disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Rijana , said some of the suspects had been identified by their victims.

    He said that items recovered from them include: 10 double barrel guns, two single barrel guns, 30 live cartridges, 10 9mm ammunition and assorted cell phones.

    Others are: wrist watches, jewelries, two magazines, 10 locally made Sub-Machine Guns, three AK 47 rifles, five laptop computers, three Ipads and one revolver pistol .

    Moshood said that in the process of arresting the suspects, the police were able to locate their camp and equally rescue some of their victims.

    “Most of these suspects we are parading today were arrested during the act,” he said.

    The spokesman said that the suspects belonged to different groups that operated at different locations on the Kaduna- Abuja highway.

    The spokesman said the suspects have made confessional statements to the police on the various roles each of them played in the commission of the crime along the route.

    The spokesman said the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

    He said that the police would continue to build on the current successes to ensure that the last kidnapper was removed from the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    He enjoined members of the communities to always avail police with vital information to provide security for them, adding that the operation would be sustained to curtail crime across the country.

    Moshood said that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, had commended members of the community for their support.

    A resident of the community, Mr Labaran Abu, who spoke to newsmen, called for the sustenance of the operation along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    Abu said that the community would have some respite with the coming of the security personnel to the area.

    He said that members of the community were ready to give police all the necessary information for provision of security.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Force had on July 25 begun ‘Operation Absolute Sanity’ on Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

    The team include: Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Squad, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad, Force Intelligence Branch and Police Helicopters.

    The operations is to complement the on-going Joint Police/Military operations on ground before now.

    The police had also on July 31 arrested 31 suspects at Katari area along the Kaduna-Abuja road.

  • I-G warns police commissioners against unprofessional conducts

    I-G warns police commissioners against unprofessional conducts

    The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has warned Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the commands across the federation to be professional in handling criminal cases.

    The force spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said Idris gave the warning at a meeting with the Deputy Inspector-Generals (DIGs), Assistant Inspector-General (DIGs) and CPs.

    The inspector-general cautioned them against illegal investigation of cases, unlawful and prolonged detention of suspects.

    He warned that any policeman caught taking bribe before granting suspects bail would be dismissed from service.

    “As you are all aware, bail is free. Always sensitise officers and men in your commands on this because anyone caught violating this act will be dismissed from service.

    “The law as we know is blind. We represent the most visible arm of justice and we must use that power prudently.

    “We must embrace change as the only permanent fixture in life.

    “I expect the highest standard from you. Don’t let anybody buy your conscience but hold on to the ethics. I want you to be very professional,” he said.

    Idris said the era of bribery and corrupt practices in the police circle was over.

    He warned that any senior police officer found to be engaged in corrupt practices would face the full wrath of the law.

    The inspector-general urged them to change the public perception of the force through their conducts.

    He charged them to be very civil in relating with the public and respect the people’s socio-cultural values.

    He assured them of the Federal Government’s readiness to address the challenges facing the force.

  • Kidnappings: I-G orders redeployment of Area Commanders, DPOs, others

    Kidnappings: I-G orders redeployment of Area Commanders, DPOs, others

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the redeployment of Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers serving along the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria highways starting from Zuba Division of FCT.

    Others affected by the order are Inspectors and Rank and Files serving in those Police Divisions.

    The Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the measure was to ensure total success of the operations currently ongoing on the route.

    It added that new personnel to replace the redeployed ones have been posted to the affected divisions.

    The statement disclosed that the exercise was aimed at bringing in new experience and fresh impetus to the fight against kidnappings, armed robberies and other violent crimes on these Highways.

    In another development, Idris has given posthumous promotion to late Insp. Idris Musa to the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

    Moshood said the gesture was for act of bravery, gallantry and supreme sacrifice paid by the deceased in active service to his fatherland.

    He said that Musa would be remembered as one of the heroes of the Nigeria Police Force in the fight against Boko-Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Musa died on July 24 from the injuries sustained during an attack from the remnant of Boko-Haram insurgents in Kano on July 23.

  • IGP wants death penalty for kidnapping

    IGP wants death penalty for kidnapping

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday urged the National Assembly to enact stringent laws on kidnapping.

    Idris said kidnapping is thriving because there are no laws in place to tackle the menace.

    He stated these during the monthly meeting with Commissioners of Police and other senior officers of the Force in Abuja.

    He said: “When I went to the National Assembly, I told them that what we need to challenge kidnapping is punishment. I think these boys see us parade people but they don’t see them taken to court or sentenced to death.

    “In some states where kidnapping leads to death of somebody, the penalty is death but they only see the court sentencing such persons to 10 years or life imprisonment.

    “I feel that is why they feel more relaxed and I told the National Assembly that we need to have more stringent punishment for kidnappers. I think that is the only way to check the menace because they see it as child’s play.

    “If you go all over the Command across the states, you would discover that some of these youths are getting more involved in kidnapping. Like I told the National Assembly, I believe if we can get laws to check it, we are going to see several changes.

    “In Niger Republic, a Boko Haram suspect was arrested and within one week, judgement was passed. That sent a very strong message that whoever that is planning to go into it should desist but here, we have suspects year in, year out, appearing in in court and matter continually adjourned.

    “It does not serve as deterrent to them and even most of them kept in police cells are more comfortable there. So, I think to address the level of kidnapping in the country, a law should be passed.”

     

     

     

  • Kidnapping: Police deploy 600 Special Forces to Abuja-Kaduna road

    Kidnapping: Police deploy 600 Special Forces to Abuja-Kaduna road

    The Police high command has deployed 600 Special Forces and 90 high caliber patrol vehicles to curb increasing cases of kidnapping along the Abuja-Kaduna express way.

    Apart from the special forces and patrol vehicles, the Nigerian Army and the police have constituted a joint operation to halt kidnapping on the road.

    The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, told his colleagues on Tuesday that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, briefed the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Police Affairs about the latest efforts to arrest kidnapping on the road.

    Lawan, who came under Order 43 (Personal Explanation), told the Senate that a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives Police Affairs Committee was held on Monday in his conference Room on how to deal with the incessant kidnapping along Abuja-Kaduna road.

    He noted that the “mass kidnapping” and kidnapping of individuals have become a matter of grave concern to the two chambers.

    The Senate leader said the meeting requested for explanation from the IGP on the issue.

    He said Idris told the committee that there was already a joint operation of the police and the army to deal with the situation.

    Lawan said they accepted the police explanation.

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, said the primary responsibility of government remains the security and welfare of the people.

    He said efforts would be made to improve the funding of the police for effective performance.

    Ekweremadu, however, asked the police to double its effort and tackle kidnapping and other related crimes in the country.

  • IGP dismisses three policemen for illegal arrest, detention

    IGP dismisses three policemen for illegal arrest, detention

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has dismissed three policemen from the Nigeria Police Force for their involvement in illegal arrest and detention of some people.

    The dismissed personnel; AP.No 136005 Inspr. Okelue Nkemeonye, F/No. 355897 Sgt. Braimoh Sunday and F/No. 359928 Sgt. Yusuf Olukoga were attached to Area Command Ijede-Ikorodu under Lagos State Command.

    The personnel who were armed pretended to be Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) harassed their victims and collected N200, 000 from them before they were releaeed.

    In a statement in Abuja Monday by the Officer in charge of Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit  (PCRRU), Abayomi Shogunle stated that the personnel tagged their victims Internet fraudsters ‘Yahoo Yahoo boys.

    Shogunle said investigation revealed that they policemen collected N90,000 through ATM withdrawal and N110,000 through mobile bank money transfer to a third party account provided by the policemen.

    Shogunle said the officers were found guilty and dismissed after they appeared at Orderly Room trial at the Zone Two Command Headquarters, Onikan-Yaba, Lagos.

    He said the Adjudicating officer found them quilty on two charges of offence against discipline as provided for in paragraphs C (ii) Corrupt Practices and E (iii) Discreditable Conduct of the First Schedule of Police Act and Regulations Cap. P19. Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    Giving details of the complaints that led to their dismissal, Shogunle said: “On the 21st June, 2017 the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) received a complaint via WhatsApp number 0805 700 0003.

    The complaint reads: “I went to the bank this morning to deposit money to a Company’s account but there was no network so i deposited the money into my personal account to do the transfer to the account later.

    “When I came out of the bank, a car packed full of some SARS policemen wearing black cloth with anti-robbery squad written at the back. I was told to enter the vehicle with a gun pointed at me.

    “They collected my mobile phone and asked me what I do for a living, I told them that I had just finished my youth service and I am living with my brother and I pointed my brother’s shop for them to stop by and see him because he was the one that sent me to the bank, they refused to wait and they did not allow me to pick my calls and call out.

    The complaint further reads: “I received an alert on my phone with the money I went to deposit. They searched my phone and on seeing the alert, they labelled me a yahoo boy and told me that I would pay them N1Million.

    “One of them slapped me, they drove us around places in Ikorodu,Ijede, Gberigbe, Ibeshe, Igbe, Ikpakodo, Itaelewa, Agric and first gate harassing people, moving them in the car and collecting huge amount from them.

    “They collected N50,000.00 from me but I noticed that each junctions that we reached, people were hailing their leader by his nickname (OJ. Ojewunmi). And one by name Austin slapped me.

    “They picked me up around 9am and dropped me 6pm in the evening after collecting money from me. They also used my account to collect money from the guys that I met in the car and used my ATM to withdraw from them”

    Shogunle said his team was dispatched to Ikorodu where all the three dismissed policemen including AP No. 98199 ASP Bayo Obadia who led the team were apprehended.

    He said preliminary investigation by the Unit revealed that all the allegations contained in the complaint sent via WhatsApp message actually happened.

    “Also the four police officers who were armed on the day of the incident falsely paraded themselves as operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) despite not being posted to SARS by police authorities.

    “Investigation also showed that the officers extorted a total sum of N200,000 from the young men who they tagged “Yahoo Yahoo Boys”, the money was force from them via N90,000 ATM withdrawal and N110,000 mobile bank money transfer to a third party account provided by the policemen. All the extorted N200,000 was recovered by the PCRRU Investigators.

    “All the arrested officers, witnesses and recovered exhibits including the N200,000 cash and printed bank statement of account were handed over to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Lagos for further detailed investigation and necessary disciplinary measures.”

    “The approval of the punishment of dismissal from service as recommended by the Adjudicating officer is part of the outcome of the disciplinary measures ” Shogunle said.

    On what would become of the fourth person in the act, he said: “In the case of ASP Bayo Obadiah who led the team of the infamous men on this unacceptable conduct, an official query was issued to him by the AIG Zone 2 Lagos, both his reply and Query has been forwarded to the office of the Force Secretary, Force Headquarters, Abuja from where it would be proceeded to the Police Service Commission as required by Police Regulations.”

    The IG while commending the Unit assured members of the public that all allegations of professional misconduct reported against any police officer would be treated in line with relevant laws and in keeping to the “Change Begins With Me Champaign” of the Federal Government.

    He also encouraged the public to report cases of police misconduct to the PCRRU for resolution as he is bent on ensuring a more public friendly and corrupt free police force in Nigeria.