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Tag: IGP

  • Human rights: Police need to do more, says IGP

    Human rights: Police need to do more, says IGP

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has urged his men to respect human rights.

    This is just as Interior Minister AbdulRahman Dambazzau said Nigerians expect more from the IGP and his men.

    The IGP spoke yesterday in Abuja at a seminar on ‘International Human Rights Standards and Trends in Community Policing’.

    Arase said:  “Police personnel are the prime security actors in the internal security architecture of the country and in terms of respect for human rights, I will say they are doing well but there are still areas where we have to finetune and that is why I am jazzing up their training and I am getting them to connect with the public.

    “It is not an easy thing trying to rejig an organisation that has been stagnant for sometime. So, training will be a continuous thing even after I leave and I believe that I have set the pathway, I have put the building blocks and whoever is coming after  me will build on those things.

    Speaking on the essence of the seminar, he said: “You must know that in a democracy, the organisation supposed to drive the rule of law is the Police. So, of necessity, officers must be comply with human rights nationally and internationally.

    The IGP also said the manual, which was launched: ‘Operational Manual of International Human Rights Protocols and Guidelines,’ will serve as a police bible.

    Arase also launched a compendium: “Nigeria Police Force (1861 – 2016): Establishment Profile”.

    On the importance of the compendium, Arase said: “The essence is for us to tell our story for posterity because any institution that fails to recognise and document its history stands the danger of creating a historical vacuum, which will engender distorted narration of its evolution.”

    The IGP explained that the protocols cover police investigation, arrest, detention, use of force and firearms, management of civil disorder, protection of juveniles, protection of women, protection of victims of crime and abuse of power, police command and management, community policing, and policing in a constitutional democracy, among others.

    He hoped that Nigerians would use the operational as a template they could  refer to in holding the police accountable.

    Speaking on what Nigerians expect from the police, the minister said: “I want to emphasise that a lot is expected from you (IGP) by the public.

    “All eyes are on you and you need to ensure that the senior officers focus on professionalism in terms of training and welfare of personnel. There is no doubt that without meeting the minimum standard of professionalism, you will not be able to carry out your constitutional mandate,” he said.

  • IGP orders tight security nationwide

    IGP orders tight security nationwide

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has directed Zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGs) and police commissioners in states to beef up security to ensure a peaceful and incident-free Easter celebration.

    He ordered that adequate security be provided for worshippers, travellers, picnickers and the citizens before, during and after the festive season.

    The directive was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Force Spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole.

    The statement said: “Command Commissioners of Police should personally ensure that all key and vulnerable points within their jurisdictions, including places of worship, recreation centres, motor-parks, highways, financial institutions and places of public resort are adequately and effectively protected.”

    The IGP, who hailed Nigerians for their patience, understanding in the fight against crime and criminality, urged them to continue to support the Force with useful information to assist the police in tracking down undesirable elements.

    He urged worshippers at church services to make conscious effort to know fellow members of their congregation, explaining that it would “make it easier to know who is a stranger in their midst”.

    The police boss advised operators of motor-parks, shopping malls and recreational centres to work closely with the police and other security agencies in the effort to strengthen security in their facilities.

    Also yesterday,  Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command Police Commissioner Wilson Inalegwu ordered a tight security at worship centres, recreational parks and crowd-attracting places in Abuja.

    Inalegwu issued the directives to area commanders and divisional police officers.

    He spoke in a separate statement by the command spokesperson, Anjuguri Manzah.

    The commissioner ordered the strategic deployment of plainclothes and uniformed police personnel from the command headquarters to man entry and exit points, as well as embark on “motorised, foot and static patrol across the FCT”.

  • Police did not favour APC in Rivers re-run-IGP

    Police did not favour APC in Rivers re-run-IGP

    Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase Tuesday debunked allegations that the favored the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) during last weekend’s National and State Assembly re-run elections in Rivers state.

    The IGP who exonerated the police in the violence that greeted the Rivers re-run maintained that the Police discharged its duties professionally.

    He spoke to reporters in Abakaliki during his one day working visit to Ebonyi state police command.

    He said: “It is not the police that ignite violence; it is the political class that ignites violence. All we do is to ensure we secure a conducive environment that can allow law abiding citizens to cast their votes in any election.

    ‘’The situation in Rivers has nothing to do with the Police; it has something to do with the political class.

    ‘So, the police was neutral in the Rivers re-run and nobody can accuse us of bias or complicity or conniving with politicians or political party to frustrate the election’’, he said.

    He called on police officers to be thorough in their investigation and make friends with members of the public for effective community policing.

    He maintained his stand on dismantling of road blocks and warned policemen to avoid negative acts that can portray the police in bad light.

    On the Ebonyi/Benue/Cross River boundary disputes that have claimed many lives, Arase noted that efforts are being made to restore normalcy in the disputed areas.

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah the state has witnessed a reduction in criminal activities since She assumed office in September last year.

    She attributed the development to the overhauling and strengthening of the crime prevention strategies of the command.

    “Whereas a total of eleven kidnap cases were recorded in 2015(Jan-Sept), the three cases of kidnap recorded in the command from September 2015 till date were successfully investigated. The kidnap suspects were arrested and victims rescued without payment of ransom,” CP Abdallah said.

  • Rivers rerun: Lawbreakers’ll be dealt with, says IGP

    Rivers rerun: Lawbreakers’ll be dealt with, says IGP

    Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase yesterday spoke tough ahead of Saturday’s re-run elections in Rivers State.

    He said politicians fomenting trouble will  face the law.

    Re-run elections will hold in 37 constituencies, involving the three senatorial districts, 12 federal constituencies and 22 state constituencies.

    Arase, who spoke at a joint briefing with the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mohammed Yakubu , said a comprehensive security analysis had been conducted, with some trouble spots and individuals identified.

    The identified individuals, he said, have been placed under watch and should they cross the threshold, the police would be forced to take action.

    He added that aside the deployment of 6,000 police personnel, special protection units, explosive ordinance department, federal special anti-robbery squad, operatives of the criminal intelligence and investigation department, counterterrorism unit and marine section of the force are being deployed.

    He said: “At this juncture, let me note that the Intelligence Unit of the Nigeria Police has conducted a comprehensive security analysis if Rivers State. The areas likely to present major security threat as well as individuals who are poised to make themselves available as political thugs to threaten the peaceful conduct of the electoral process have been identified.

    “I can assure you that appropriate mechanisms have been duly emplaced to prevent the anti-democratic elements from manifesting their criminal intent.

    “Our democracy has evolved to a level where political gladiators and electorates should allow morality, integrity, genuine national passion, service and above all, the dictates of law to guide their actions. The days when political power is attained through the rule of violence rather than the rule of law and democratic values are fading and our political actors that believe in turning citizens to political thugs and cannon folders to bear the fatal brunt of their political ambition should allow such thoughts to fade henceforth or be prepared to face the wrath of justice.”

    He announced the restriction of movement during the re-run elections.

    On why no political offender had been prosecuted, Arase noted that the police is handicapped since it is not a criminal issue.

    INEC Chairman assured the state of the commission’s preparedness to conduct the elections.

    Yakubu said 24,930 ad-hoc staff had been engaged as part of the efforts to ensure a successful conduct on Saturday. He further noted that training has commenced for the ad-hoc members.

    INEC chair also revealed that none of the electoral officers posted as heads of local government offices would participate in the election.

    He said non-sensitive materials had been moved to the state and would be deployed to the state today.

    Yakubu announced that card readers would be used for accreditation.

    He also reiterated his call for the establishment of electoral offence tribunal.

  • Rivers bye election: No politician will be spared – IGP

    Rivers bye election: No politician will be spared – IGP

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase Wednesday spoke tough ahead of this Saturday re-run elections in Rivers state.

    He warned politicians who wish to foment trouble to be prepared to face the wrath of law.

    Re-run elections will hold in 37 constituencies involving the three senatorial districts, 12 federal constituencies and 22 state constituencies.

    Arase who spoke at a joint briefing with Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mohammed Yakubu said a comprehensive security analysis have been conducted with some trouble spots and individuals identified.

    The identified individuals he further said have been placed under watch and should they cross the threshold; the police will be forced to take action.

    He added that apart from the deployment of 6,000 police personnel, special protection units, explosive ordinance department, federal special anti-robbery squad, operatives of the criminal intelligence and investigation department, counterterrorism unit and marine section of the force are being deployed.

    IGP maintained that the police force is committed to guiding the nation’s democracy.
    He however assured that the security architecture that will be put in place in place will be civil enough to protect all political actors across the party divides.

    He said: “at this juncture, let me note that the intelligence unit of the Nigeria police has conducted a comprehensive security analysis if Rivers state. The areas likely to present major security threat as well as individuals who are poised to make themselves available as political thugs to threaten the peaceful conduct of the electoral process have been identified.

    “I can assure you that appropriate mechanisms have been duly emplaced to prevent the anti-democratic elements from manifesting their criminal intent.”

    While noting that identified trouble makers will not be picked for now, IGP however said that the individuals have been placed under watch and will be forced to pick them up when they cross the threshold set for them.

    He added, “our democracy has evolved to a level where political gladiators and electorates should allow morality, integrity, genuine national passion, service and above all, the dictates of paw to guide their actions. The days when political power is attained through the rule of violence rather than the rule of law and democratic value s are fading and our political actors that believe in turning citizens to political thugs and cannon folders to bear the fatal brunt of their political ambition should allow such thoughts to fade henceforth or be prepared to face the wrath of justice.”

    He also used the opportunity to announce the restriction of movement during the re-run elections.

    On why no political offender has been prosecuted so far in the country, Mr. Arase noted that the police is handicapped since it is not a criminal issue.

    Meanwhile, INEC Chairman has assured the state of the commission’s  preparedness to conduct the elections.

    Yakubu said 24,930 ad-hoc staff have been engaged as part of the efforts to ensure a successful conduct on Saturday. He further noted that training has commenced for the ad-hoc members.

    INEC Chair also revealed that none of the electoral officers currently posted as head of local government offices in the state will participate I the election.

    While noting that non sensitive materials have been moved to the state, he announced that sensitive materials will be deployed to the state today.

    Yakubu also used the opportunity to announce that card readers will be used for accreditation.

    He also reiterated his call for the establishment of electoral offence tribunal.

     

  • Agatu killings: Minister urges IGP to fish out culprits

    Agatu killings: Minister urges IGP to fish out culprits

    Rtd. Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Minister of Interior, has urged Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase, to fish out and prosecute the culprits of the recent killings in Agatu, Benue.

    Dambazau made the appeal in a statement issued on his behalf by his Press Secretary, Mr Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

    Dambazau decried the incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians in Agatu and other communities in Benue, by unknown gunmen, calling on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the matter.

    “The perpetrators of this dastardly act are unwittingly testing the will and capabilities of government securities,’’ he said.

    The minister expressed his condolence to the government and people of Benue State over the incident and pledged government’s resolve to ensure the security of lives and property in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that incessant clashes between suspected herdsmen and communities in Agatu, had led to the killing of innocent Nigerians and destruction of property.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rivers Election: IGP deploys DIG, AIG, CPs, 6000 officers for re-run election

    • Nwuche: killings beyond cult clashes

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has deployed a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, three Commissioners of Police and 6,000 officers for Saturday’s re-run elections in Rivers State.

    The IGP directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Department of Operations, Sontoye Wakama, to proceed to Rivers to hold meetings with stakeholders and police officers on the need for peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.

    Also, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 6 Calabar, Adisa Baba Bolanta has been directed to relocate to Port Harcourt on March 14 for pre-elections preparation.

    The Police High Command explained that the deployment is with a view to emplace conducive environment for free, fair and credible election.

    A statement in Abuja yesterday by the Force spokesperson Olabisi Kolawole said three Commissioners of Police (CPs) have also been deployed to supervise security arrangements within the three Senatorial Districts of the state, Rivers East, Rivers West and Rivers South East.

    In addition to the senior officers,  the police boss also stated that 6000 conventional Policemen and 14 Units of Police Mobile Force personnel (MOPOL), would be deployed to compliment the personnel of Rivers State Command during the election.

    The IGP, while assuring the electorates of a secured and enabling environment to exercise their franchise, warned all security details to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

    He noted that only security personnel specially assigned for election duties must be seen within and around the election designated places.

    Former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche yesterday condemned the “brutal and unrestrained” killings going on in Rivers State.

    Nwuche asked the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the crisis in order to avert anarchy and further loss of innocent lives in the State.

    He insisted that the victims of the killing spree are mostly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the party’s sympathisers.

    The former Deputy Speaker in a statement released in Abuja at the weekend, “bemoaned the fact that Rivers State had, in the last six months, degenerated into a terrible state of barbarism and brigandage with wanton killings, beheadings, brutal assaults, kidnapping, rape, destruction of property and near total breakdown of law and order have become daily occurrences.”

    He noted with regret in the statement entitled “Rivers Killing fields: A descent into anarchy” that the unrelenting killing spree unleashed on the state by organised criminal groups has led to the death of several Rivers sons and daughters.

    He underscored the fact that even though “the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against humanity are well known to the law enforcement agencies, the perpetrators have somehow always succeeded in evading arrest and prosecution.”

    The situation, he said, has invariably led to the loss of further lives and total collapse of human rights and dignity.

    While urging the Federal Government to urgently take immediate steps towards bringing to an end “what is now known as the unbridled homicidal killings in Rivers State”, Nwuche condemned “the penchant of high-ranking Rivers State government officials, some sections of the media and Non-Governmental Organisations, as well as some law enforcement personnel to label what are clearly organised crimes against the people as mere cult clashes.”

    He said the tendency by these groups of persons to diminish the barrage of horrific and organised acts of criminality currently engulfing the state smacks of cover-up and complicity.

    He added, “One would have expected that these groups and individuals to be in the fore-front of efforts to end  the ongoing human crises in Rives State, as well as help bring the culprits to book , rather they are spiritedly trying to play down the scope and magnitude of the crises.”

    Nwuche asked, “What are these cults? Who are these cultists? Do they include the hundreds of victims of these heinous crimes such as hordes of defenseless and aged men and women killed in Omoku and the fourteen persons recently murdered in cold blood in one fell swoop at Ula Upata, Ahoada East Local Government Area or the 44 person assassinated so far plus sixty-nine persons kidnapped in Ahoada, as well as Kingsley Obi who was beheaded and Chief D. C. Ena who was assassinated in his palace?

    “How come these victims are invariably members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or their sympathisers? Why are the victims always un-armed while the perpetrators of these crimes are heavily armed with sophisticated weapons?”

    He lamented that as a result of the bloody onslaught, the value of life has greatly diminished in the state under the present Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration.

    Nwuche noted that a lot of notable persons who ordinarily reside in the state have fled to set up abode in other states out of fear for their lives.

    He said it was wrong to categorise him as sponsor of the organised killings for his constructive criticism of the happenings in the state.

    Nwuche said he would not be deterred from insisting on the urgent intervention of the Federal Government to curb the obviously sponsored genocidal killings.

    He said, “I and other concerned stakeholders have in the past six months, been constructively engaging the authorities and law enforcement agencies in trying to ensure an immediate halt to the mayhem going on in our state.

    “No amount of spurious and laughable allegations will stop us from getting the authorities to bring to an end this sad and painful saga in the history of our state, as well as bring the perpetrators to book.”

  • Handing over of Ese Oruru postponed

    Handing over of Ese Oruru postponed

    After several hours of waiting, journalists were told around 7:18 that the handing over of Ese Oruru to her parents will be done tomorrow.

    Addressing newsmen, the Force Spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawale said: “The parents are just approaching Abaaji and we cannot keep waiting for them.

    “We will call you people tomorrow when we want to reunite the girl with her parents,” she added.

  • Abuja: Ese Oruru arrives Police headquarters

    Abuja: Ese Oruru arrives Police headquarters

    • To be handed over to her parents

    The late arrival of Ese Oruru’s parents to the Police headquarters in Abuja is delaying the handing over of the girl to them.

    The parents were said to have left Yenagoa around 6am to Abuja where she will be handed over to them.

    Ese was said to have arrived the Force Headquarters around 12:55 pm on Tuesday.

    Journalists who seemed impatient with the delay were relocated from the 7th floor to the Peace Keeping Hall in the 5th floor where the IGP, Solomon Arase is expected to brief newsmen.

    Speaking on the reason for the delay, the Force Spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawale said: “The handing over is delayed because the girl’s parents are still on their way. Their bus took off around 6am from Yenagoa and we are still waiting for them to arrive.”

  • IGP vows to end bribery among Police rank and file

    IGP vows to end bribery among Police rank and file

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has sworn to remove all elements capable of leading policemen into bribery and corruption which has been bringing the force to disrepute in recent times.

    Speaking in Umuahia while addressing officers and men of the Abia state police command at the police headquarters, Arase said that the Nigerian police force should be one that Nigerians should be proud of.

    Arase said that every policeman in the country ought to dress appropriately with a certain carriage while on duty in order to elicit respect and confidence among the public.

    The IGP said that he is prepared to ease the sufferings of the junior officers through improved welfare packages such as promotions as and when due, scholarship awards to their children and ensuring that all their emoluments and allowances are given to them.

    Arase said, “You are the ones who stand on the road to ensure security, stay late in the offices, tell me what don’t you do, there is every reason for you people to be catered for to discourage corruption and enthrone integrity in service.”

    The IGP said that he is proud to be a policeman and advised his officers to cooperate effectively with their immediate environment in order to make their job easier.

    Arase also advised the policemen to always analyze situations before taking actions to be able to identify and differentiate between criminal and civil matters and handle them accordingly.

    In his response the Commissioner of Police [CP] in the state, Joshak Habila, appealed to the IGP for another area command in Abia North senatorial zone of the state to meet up with security challenges in the area.

    Habila said that the command has recently encountered challenges in the agitations by MASSOB and IPOB but stated that they have handled them effectively without any problems.

    He informed the IGP that the state government has made available a large expanse of land with certificate of occupancy for the construction of housing estate for policemen in the command.