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Tag: Inspector-General of Police

  • IGP seeks recruitment of 31,000 Policemen yearly

    IGP seeks recruitment of 31,000 Policemen yearly

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP),  Ibrahim Idris Kpotum Friday appealed to the federal government to approve the recruitment of 31, 000 policemen yearly for the next five years in order to boost the workforce of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The IGP made this demand at the Passing out Parade of recruit Constables at the Police Training School in Minna Friday.

    Kpotum who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Finance and Administration, Shuaibu Gambo said that the current ratio of the policemen to the public is below the United Nations approved ratio pointing out that with the recruitment of 31,000 policemen yearly, the nation would be able to meet up.

    He applauded the approval of the government in the recruitment of 10,000 police Constables who passed out yesterday in various Police Training Schools across the country expressing optimism that approval would be given for more to be recruited for next year.

    Gambo urged the new recruited Constables not to succumb to corruptions and neferious activities and to always ensure that the rights of the people are defended.

    He added that the Inspector General of Police directed that the entire recruit Constables be posted back to their communities in order to expand the effectiveness of Community policing.

    In his address, the Niger state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Ketso urged the police to develop new and appropriate strategies to counter all forms of criminal tendencies to enable a peaceful environment stressing on the need to look inwards and think of how to confront the new forms of crimes and criminality that prefaces the society.

    He called on the new police officers to make commitments to live above boards and shun all acts of corruption that will undermine the integrity of the force stating the readiness of the government to support them in the discharge of their responsibilities.

    The Commandant of the Police Training School, Isaac Baba said the training course which started in December last year started with  523 recruits adding that 57 were trained as specialists and have passed out after five months of intensive training while 465 recruit Constables are passing out.

    He said that the recruit constables were drawn from Niger and Kogi states.

  • I don’t think there is tension in Nigeria – IG

    I don’t think there is tension in Nigeria – IG

    With two weeks to independence anniversary, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday maintained that there is no tension in the country.

    But he said efforts are on to quell the little tension in the South East.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said “I don’t think there is tension in the country. Which country? This Nigeria? No. Nigeria does not have any tension. At least you are in Abuja you have gone around there is no tension.”

    On the South East, he said, “Obviously one is to deploy policemen across the country, two we are in touch with the states government, trying to mobilize the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary on how to lessen the tension in the South East.

    He disagreed with the allegations by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike claiming that most crimes committed in Rivers State was committed by members of the Police’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Reacting to the allegation, he said “He has right to self expression. You know he is a governor.”

    Asked if he was not denying the the claim, he said “Of course I have to deny that, that is nonsense. I have to deny that.”

    On the picture of policemen displayed to support the governor’s claim, he said “If a policeman was killed will you say he was involved in crime? I think you are mixing two different issues.

    “A policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with this IPOB issue, its different from saying the policemen are involved in crime. You cannot say someone that was attacked and killed is the one involved in crime.

    “Who is the person they were attempting to kidnap?” he queried

    Asked whether Wike was not making any sense, he said “I just want you to read between the lines. If you have leaders making sweeping allegations obviously it does not make sense. I don’t want to comment on it.

    On the purpose of his visit to the Villa, he said “The highlight of the meeting with Vice President is to obviously ensure that our provision of security in the country is intact.

  • Police will continue to partner traditional institutions – IG

    Police will continue to partner traditional institutions – IG

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris said that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to partner with the traditional institutions to checkmate criminal activities in the country.

    The Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, said Idris stated this during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Isah Mustapha-Agwai 1 in Lafia.

    He underscored the role of traditional institutions in complementing the effort of security operatives in checkmating criminal activities in the country.

    “Traditional rulers in the country have in no small measure supported and cooperated with the police and other security agencies in curbing criminal activities,” he said.

    Responding, Mustapha-Agwai appealed to Nigerians not to smear or bring down those in positions of authority for personal interest.

    The Emir noted that the two major religions preached against smearing one another’s image, reputations or saying things about somebody without any proof.

    “We should always remember the day of resurrection in our actions,” he said.

    He expressed dismay at the attitude of those who would always allow themselves to be used by enemies of progress to ruin reputations of public office holders.

    He commended Idris for putting measures in place to improve security and doused heightened tension in various parts of the country.

    “The country is faced with some formidable security challenges, ranging from insurgency, militancy, kidnappings and armed robberies,” he said.

    He urged the police boss to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the tempo is sustained.

    “I enjoin you to continue with your good work of providing adequate security to Nigerians and not to be distracted with the activities of ungodly people in our midst,” he said.

    He also called Idris to accord top priority to the welfare of officers and men of the force across the country.

    “Try to be transparent, incorruptible and unbiased in discharging your duties and responsibilities, Almighty Allah will not allow your enemies to pull you down,” he said.

  • Lagos requests for two additional Area Commands in Ikorodu, Badagry

    Lagos requests for two additional Area Commands in Ikorodu, Badagry

    …IGP visits Gov, says Lagos has set pace in security matters

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday requested for two additional Police Area Commands, saying that it would go a long way in tackling the nefarious activities of criminally minded persons once and for all.

    Ambode, who made the request when the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House in Ikeja, said the additional Area Commands, if granted, would be set up in Ikorodu and Badagry, assuring that the State Government was ready to provide the funds to set up the Commands.

    “Funding is key to security, but security also is fundamental to the growth of Lagos and the prosperity of Lagos, so we are ready and we are committed to support all our security agencies, the Navy, the Police to make sure that we have a safe city where we can be investor friendly and also grow the economy of Nigeria.

    “I am ready to fund additional area commands in Lagos, so I am requesting that we should do two additional commands in Lagos, one in Ikorodu and another one in Badagry. There is a need for us to pay more attention to the Ikorodu axis because of the kind of reports that we are getting from there,” the Governor said.

    Alluding to the multi-billion dollar investments coming up in the Lekki corridor and the need to secure the area, the Governor also requested that the Mobile Police Command in Ibeju Lekki be relocated to Epe.

    “We already have some kind of Command in Ibeju Lekki which is the Mobile Police, but I also request that because of the kind of economic activities that is coming up in the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the road expansion that we are doing in the Epe axis, we would like to request that the Mobile Command should be relocated to Epe itself,” he said.

    Ambode, while thanking the IGP and the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo for their interventions in securing the release of the six kidnapped Igbonla Model College students, said the incident clearly showed the need to beef up security in the riverine borders between Ondo, Ogun and Lagos States.

    He said the South West Governor’s Forum in a recent meeting had resolved to set up a Joint Task Force on security to stop criminals using the waterways as an escape route, just as he sought the support of the IGP towards ensuring the success of the initiative.

    While pledging the commitment of the State Government to provide additional gun boats and equipment to safeguard the waterways, Governor Ambode also revealed that his administration has already concluded plans to procure a surveillance aircraft with the capacity to deal with all forms of crimes on the waterways, assuring that the Government would spare nothing to ensure that the State remains safe and secured for residents and investors.

    “In addition to that, we commit ourselves also to provide additional Hilux vehicles and personnel also so that with the joint task force, we can actually clean up our waterways. I’ll like to also let you know that we are also in the process of procuring a surveillance aircraft that can actually deal with issues that relate to our waterways.

    “I am in total agreement with the IGP that there is a need for us to create a marine post along our waterways which you are already looking at, we must create some kind of outpost between Ondo, Ogun and Lagos so that these criminals cannot come into Lagos. The peace of Lagosians is of paramount to us so that we can checkmate them before they enter into Lagos we are also ready to fund that and then make sure that we train all our personnel and then seek the support of the Navy.

    “All these that I have requested, I know that it comes with additional personnel and it comes with additional financing, but I give my commitment; the safety of citizens of Lagos is paramount to me and I am ready to fund it,” Governor Ambode said.

    The Governor also commended the IGP for his efforts in improving security across the country, especially in Lagos, noting that since he came on board, security in the State has greatly improved.

    Earlier, IGP Idris Ibrahim commended the Governor for his tremendous support to the Police Command in the State especially in providing equipment and welfare for officers, saying that Lagos was leading the way in matters pertaining to security, especially through its innovative Security Trust Fund which had become a national model.

    “Lagos has been a pacesetter in various areas. You have been very dynamic. First you are the first government to introduce the Security Trust Fund and this is a concept we are trying to introduce nationally. We have the Police Trust Fund bill before the National Assembly, a public hearing has been heard on this bill and we believe it will be one of those instruments to change the face of policing in Nigeria,” Ibrahim said.

    He said the Police was working out modalities to enhance their activities in the State especially in the coastal areas, saying that about 10 additional gun boats would be procured, while the Nigeria Police Marine would be enhanced to man the boats along the waterways.

    “I believe with these enhancements and with the capacity to provide these gun boats, the Nigeria Police Force will effectively check these criminal activities and ensure security in Lagos and other areas,” the IGP said.

    On the request of the Governor to set up two additional Police Area Commands, the IGP said the plan was already ongoing to increase Area Commands across the country to improve security surveillance and adequately address crime.

  • Man to IGP: Police infringing on my rights

    Man to IGP: Police infringing on my rights

    A businessman, Celestine Ufoegbuna, has urged Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to restrain his men from infringing on his rights over a financial dispute between him and his estranged business partner, Mr. Felix Nnaji.

    Ufoegbuna said he had been arrested, detained and tortured by some officers of the general investigation department of the Force Headquarters Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, despite his petition of last May 19, to the IG.

    In another petition of last June 22 written by his lawyer, Festus Keyamo (SAN), Ufoegbuna said the police also “unlawfully detained” his sister.

    According to him, the Ezendi Igbo, Eze Cyril Umeh Akuka, as well as an unnamed friend, who tried to mediate in the dispute, were also detained.

    He said the petition of May 10, “was approved by a signal dated May 19, 2017 and was assigned to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos State.”

    Ufoegbuna noted that in disregard of the FIB’s intervention, the officers from the general investigation “arrested detained and tortured” him over the matter.

    Keyamo, who wrote a similar petition last June 23 on Ufoegbuna’s behalf to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Abuja, said Ufoegbuna’s sister, is still in detention.

    He said: “Our client was arrested alongside Eze Cyril Umeh Akuka (Ezendi Igbo) who wanted to settle the matter between our client and the said Mr. Felix Nnaji since it is as result of a financial transaction.

    “One Mr. Marshal, a friend of our client and our client’s sister are all in detention over the same issue.

    “It is worrisome to note that the men and officers of general investigation have allowed themselves to be used to carry out this despicable act of intimidation and abuse of human right.”

    Keyamo added: “We must mention the fact that this dispute between our client and Mr. Felix Nnaji arose out of a financial/trade transaction. Our client and Mr. Felix Nnaji were business partners before the issues that led to our petition dated the 10th May, 2017.

    “We urge you sir to use your good offices to wade into this matter and direct the general investigation to hands off since the case file is still with the Federal Intelligence Bureau or as your most experienced office may direct.”

     

  • VIP Police to be withdrawn nationwide – IG

    VIP Police to be withdrawn nationwide – IG

    The Police on Friday said it would withdraw personnel of its mobile formation attached to important personalities in the country back to the barrack.

    Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, announced this in an interactive session with a group of civil society organisations under the auspices of “The Situation Room’’ in Abuja.

    He said that the measure was intended to bring the police closer to Nigerians.

    Idris said that the force had created additional mobile police squadron in states to enhance police operations, adding that Nigerians would now have more Special Protection Units (SPUs) in the commands in the zones.

    “We will withdraw all mobile police back to barracks to concentrate on dealing with serious law and order situation.

    “It means that we are stopping deployment of mobile police from protecting VIPs in the country because that is not where they should serve.

    “This is to allow us have enough men on the ground to deal especially with the issues of kidnapping.

    IGP, Ibrahim Idris

    “We are creating new SPUs in each command; so, virtually all commands will have them, and with the support of the state governments, most of them would be deployed specially to states.’’

    Idris said that the decision was basically to stem the cases of incessant kidnapping, adding that it had become a challenge that the force received hundreds of cases daily.

    He called for the establishment of special courts to address the cases of kidnapping.

    According to him, the public feel that kidnapers are not being prosecuted enough so there is need to seek strict measure to punish them.

    The IGP said that with the creation of special task force squadron on terrorism, a lot of kidnappers had been arrested and that the force had 2, 000 suspected kidnappers across the country.

    He reiterated the force’s commitment to apprehending the notorious and wanted kidnapper from Benue commonly called “Ghana’’, saying that his days were numbered.

    He thanked Nigerians for their support and called for more collaboration to curb crime “because it will take a collaborative effort to win against crime in the country’’.

    On his part, Convener of the Situation Room,

    called for the prosecution of kidnappers to serve as deterrent to others.

    Nwankwo stressed the need for protection of lives and property in the country, adding that ‘kidnapping is a serious national issue that needs to be tackled urgently.’’

  • Extortion: Police dismiss 2 traffic wardens in Abuja

    Extortion: Police dismiss 2 traffic wardens in Abuja

    The Nigeria Police Force, on Tuesday, said it had dismissed two traffic wardens attached to the Wuse Police Division from service for extorting money from a motorist in Abuja.

    The affected officers are: Musa Muktari with service F/No. 394120 and Shuaibu Sulieman with service F/No. 10627.

    The Head, Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit ( PCRRU), ACP Abayomi Shogunle, made this disclosure in statement in Abuja.

    He said the dismissal followed an Orderly Room trial at the Provost Department, Force Headquarters, where they were found guilty of abuse of office, soliciting and receiving bribe, contrary to the police Act and Regulation of 1990.

    Shogunle said that the unit immediately began an investigation as soon as the matter was reported to it on May 30 by the motorist.

    He said that the two officers accused the motorist of beating traffic light along Wuse market road and demanded a bribe of N15,000 from him.

    Shogunle said that they led him to an Automated Teller Machine ( ATM) not far from their duty post, where he was forced to withdraw the money which he gave them.

    He said that one of the wardens in the process forgot his cell phone in the motorist’s car.

    “The sum of N15,000 earlier extorted from the complainant was recovered from both wardens (N7, 500 each, as the money was already shared,”he said.

    He said that the money had been returned to the motorist, who was so delighted about it.

    Shogunle said the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, had lauded the complainant for exposing this unprofessional and unacceptable conduct of the traffic wardens.

    He enjoined the public to always make use of the PCRRU platform, which is available 24 hours of the week.

  • Police to recruit 30,000 men annually, says IGP

    Police to recruit 30,000 men annually, says IGP

    The Inspector- General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, says the Nigeria Police have concluded arrangements to recruit 30,000 personnel annually.

    Idris, represented by Mr Shuaibu Gambo Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Finance and Administration, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Ilorin while addressing officers and men of Kwara Police Command.

    “The fight against crime and criminality will not be successful without adequate manpower.

    “Recruitment of 30,000 personnel on a yearly basis will not only increase manpower but also give room for efficiency in the force,“ he said.

    The IGP said plans were underway to establish more area commands across the country to create opportunities for promotion of qualified officers and men.

    RELATED: Police to recruit 155,000 in five years to meet UN requirement

    He said N200 million had been set aside for payment of the entitlement of police pensioners.

    He added that the era when police officers retire for many years before being paid their entitlement was over.

    He said that the leadership of the force would soon commence the building of housing estates for its personnel across the country.

    Idris said the houses would be allocated to officers and men at affordable prices at convenient instalment.

    He said the project would commence as soon as the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from some state governments was approved.

    Idris restated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of officers and men of the force.

    He warned them against violating the fundamental human rights of the citizens in the course of performing their duties.

    Earlier, Kwara Police Commissioner, Mr Olusola Amore, who decried shortage of manpower in the command, appealed to the I-G to consider the command’s request for more men.

    He said that the influx of people into the state had made it difficult for the number of personnel to effectively check the rising waves of crimes in the state.

     

  • Senate tasks IGP on upsurge in rape cases, sexual violence

    Senate tasks IGP on upsurge in rape cases, sexual violence

    Obviously worried by the upsurge in cases of rape and other sexual perversions in the land, the Senate has charged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to speed up investigation and prosecution of such cases.

    The lawmakers urged the police authorities to ensure diligent prosecution of all cases of sexual abuse, violation and violence in line with the provisions of extant laws.

    The Senate also mandated it’s Committees on Health, Women Affairs and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to engage relevant stakeholders with a view to resolving pending cases of sexual violation across the country.

    In view of the trauma experienced by the victims, the senators further urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and paramilitary agencies to establish functional help desk to provide assistance and support to victims.

    The legislators also urged the courts to revisit the penalties prescribed for such offences, including domestic violence, with the view to giving offenders the appropriate and deserving punishment.

    The resolution followed a motion by the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah on the urgent need to address the alarming rate of rape and assault cases against women, children and other vulnerable persons in the country.

    Na’Allah bemoaned the frightening increase in cases of sexual violence in the country, particularly rape, regretting that many of the victims were usually children below the age of consent.

    He also noted that perpetrators of sexual crimes were mostly familiar neighbours, employers of labour and close family members known to the victims.

    The senator further pointed out that sex offenders constituted serious security threat to the larger segment of the society, saying that most of the cases are not getting media attention.

    He expressed concerned that the menace has continued to spread to every part of the country, recording male and female victims.

    According to him, poor prosecution and light convictions by the concerned authorities have worsened the situation, thereby portraying the country in very bad light.

    Senators Ali Wakili, Eyinnaya Abaribe, Ben Bruce and Biodun Olujimi who also contributed to the debate deplored the rise in sex related cases and called for stiffer penalties for offenders.

  • I did not order arrest of judges – Buhari

    I did not order arrest of judges – Buhari

    Following the arrest, last year of some Federal High Court Judges and Supreme Court Justices, an Abakaliki based lawyer, Onu John Onwe have dragged President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to court.

    Also joined in the suit are the Director of State Security Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The DSS had in a commando-style on the night of 7th and 8th of October 2016 raided the homes of some judges, searched their residences, arrested and detained them.

    Some of the Judges including Justice Nwali Ngwuta of the Supreme court are still standing trial for alleged corruption.

    Apparently worried at the manner the whole operation was conducted, the treatment metted out to the judges, and its legal and political implication on the rule of law and activities of the judiciary, Onwe filed a suit at the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki accusing the defendants of not acting in accordance with the rule of law.

    RELATED: Why Corrupt Judges must be punished – Sagay

    Onwe also accused the President and Mr Malami of prevailing upon the NJC to suspend the said Judges and Justices from their offices and performance of their judicial functions.

    Onwe in an affidavit he deposed in support of the originating summons, said the President, the Attorney General and the NJC did not follow due process as stated in sections 292 (1) and Paragraph 21(1) of the third schedule to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the arrest, suspension and arraignment of the judges.

    He also claimed that the actions of the defendants induce insecurities in the judiciary and judiciary officers in the discharge of their duties and indeed in the enforcement of the fundamental human rights guaranteed under Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria 199 as amended.

    When the matter came up for a preliminary hearing Friday, the plaintiff who also doubles as the Counsel to the Plaintiff, Onu John Onwe told the court that some of the defendants including  Buhari, Attorney –General, DSS, IGP and NJC have been served while the EFCC have not been served.

    Onwe who is the plaintiff and counsel to the plaintiff had told the court that the court bailiff had gone to the EFCC twice to serve the anti-graft agency but that the agency refused to accept the service.

    Onwe noted that he instituted the suit to check the excesses of the executive, describing the invasion of judges homes in the midnight as unconstitutional and a flagrant abuse of rule of law.

    What we are concerned about is the interpretation of certain provisions of the constitution.  We are not contesting the fact even though the defendants are saying that I don’t have the locus standi to challenge their actions because it affects the whole nation, that one person cannot come and say that he is aggrieved on their action but I am aggrieved because their action is affecting me as a lawyer and that is why I am challenging their action. I don’t feel secure in my practice and also as a olitician – Onwe.

    Samuel Ede who is counsel to the National Judicial Council explained that the plaintiff is challenging the arrest of some Judges.

    “This matter is what the plaintiff called an unlawful invasion of the various homes of Judges and Justices of the Supreme court.  He said it has put his practice as a Lawyer on line or at stake. This matter concerns NJC because it is the body in charge of laws in Nigeria, it is a supervisory body.

    RELATED: Judgement without justice

    “The plaintiff is in a position to appraise the matter but this court is in a position to take its position on it”, he said.

    However, President Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation, who are the 1st and 2nd respondents in the matter, have denied issuing the orders for the invasion and arrest of the judges and justices of the federal high courts and supreme courts.

    According to a counter affidavit filed by Counsel to the President and the Attorney, Mr Balla Ali, the duo in paragraph 8 succinctly denied that the orders for the invasion and subsequent arrest were issued by the Buhari.

    “That it is not true that the orders for the act of siege and invasion of residences of the said judges and justices of the Federal High Courts and the Supreme Court of Nigeria were made by the 1st Defendant, neither did the 2nd Defendant issue any such statement owning and/or accepting responsibility for giving order and or directive authorizing the Department of State Security operatives nor agents to carry out any acts of siege, invasion nor searches of residences, arrests nor detentions of any such judges and justices for several hours in the DSS detension cells until the said judges and justices were released at any order of the 1st Defendant”, he said.

    The Presiding Judge, Justice Akintola Aluko, however, insisted that EFCC must be served before the matter can commence for proper hearing and adjourned till June 12 for hearing.