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Tag: Mike Okiro

  • Okiro, Ebute canvass support for Tinubu’s re-election

    Okiro, Ebute canvass support for Tinubu’s re-election

    Former Inspector-General of Police Sir Mike Okiro and a former Senate President Ameh Ebute have called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Okiro and Ebute spoke in Abuja during the unveiling of the Legacy Support Group for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope for Better Nigeria.

    Okiro, a former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, who was represented by Hon Marcel Ezenwa, said Tinubu is doing everything possible to change the narratives about the country on all sides, thereby creating an enabling environment for economic development and growth. 

    He further said continuous criticisms of the government without evidence would not move the country forward; rather, it would take the nation backward.

    “We are all here, we are all witnesses, many people are confessing. So, based on that, we decided to join hands to support the moving train.

    Read Also: Police arrest 10 suspects over murder of four villagers in Ebonyi

    “That is actually the picture we want to paint for the whole world; for Nigerians to make up their minds that let Mr President continue with the good job he is already doing,” Okiro also said.

    Ebute said he was extending his support through the legacy group and other support groups in the country to enable the President complete his eight-year tenure.

    Ebute, who was represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Hans Royal Homes Limited, Prince Henry Opara, also said his decision was to enable the President complete the good work he has started.

    “He has a good mind for Nigeria and we have seen what he has been doing. Despite what people are saying, Rome was not built in a day. So, it is a gradual process,” Ebute said.

    Ebute, a former Pro-Chancellor of the National Open University, further acknowledged the President’s achievements so far, adding that President Tinubu meant well for the country.

    “Anywhere he stops, another person can continue. But he really has a good heart and intention for this country,” Ebute also said.

    National Coordinator of the group, Chief Chima Duru, said Tinubu has wonderful legacies which will outlive his administration.

    Duru also said the group has seen the antecedents of President Tinubu and decided to add its voice to others calling for the re-election of the President.

    He hailed President Tinubu as a man who is not selfish, saying that the President is a man with ambition, a man with a human heart, a man with vision, and a man who is very humble.

    “He listens to people and listen to advices. He is not full of himself. What endeared me to him is that one day, he was speaking and I was listening. He said, please, have hope in your life and that whatever God says you are going to be, you will be,” Duru said.

  • BREAKING: Ex-IGP Okiro withdraws from Ohanaeze presidential poll

    BREAKING: Ex-IGP Okiro withdraws from Ohanaeze presidential poll

    Former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro has withdrawn from the race to occupy the position of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    Okiro made the announcement at a briefing in Enugu on Thursday night.

    He cited the order of an Enugu State High Court barring him from contesting in the election for his withdrawal.

    The election is scheduled to January 10, 2015. 

    According to him: “I have been made aware of the Enugu State High Court’s interim order, which regrettably restrains me from contesting the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Presidency General Election tomorrow.

    “The court order, based on alleged non-indigene status, contradicts verifiable facts. It is unfortunate that the court did not invite me or heard from me before giving that obnoxious order which I got from the media. The facts are (a) That I hail from Egbema in Rivers State as shown by my National Population Commission Attestation of Birth. (b) My Traditional Ruler, the Nzeobi of Egbema, has also confirmed my indigene status of Rivers State. (c) I have written many books where my indigeneship of Rivers State is shown in the author’s column. A good example is my best seller, titled: “Nigeria: The Restructuring ‘Controversy”. (d) Page 6 of my biography written by Mr. Dozie Okebalama also shows my indigeneship of Rivers. (e) I have attended many Imeobi meetings where I represented Rivers State in the attendance list compiled by the Secretary-General. (f) As a student in the University of Ibadan, I was a member of the Rivers State Students’ Association, where I was elected as Treasurer, and another Great UIte, now Bistinguished Senator Andrew Uchendu was elected as Secretary. (g) I was representing Rivers State during the meetings of the South-South People’s Assembly under our respected leader, Chief Edwin Clark, where Prof. Pat. Utomi, another Great Nigerian, represented Delta State. My records and credentials speak for themselves.

    “As an Igbo man and elder statesman of Rivers State Extraction which said position has been zoned to by the electoral committee, I believe in the rule of law and shall respect the court’s order.

    “My Obedience to court orders, no matter how unfavorable, demonstrates our commitment to democracy. I believe in the principles of rule of law as the rule of law ensures our collective progress.

    Read Also: Tinubu tasks China to up currency swap agreement with Nigeria above $2bn

    “The rule of law safeguards our society; its principles must be upheld, our democratic values are non-negotiable, together we will emerge stronger. Our stance for justice, due process and rule of law shall vindicate us.

    “I will not participate in any election pending the final determination of the matter pending before Hon Justice N.R Oji of Enugu State High Court which court gave the restraining order.

    “Although I’ve not been formally served with the suit/processes or order, my commitment to law and order remains unwavering, despite the fact that the reliefs granted in the order against me appears to undermine my fundamental right guaranteed in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “My distinguished career as Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police underscores my dedication to justice and what is noble.

    “I have instructed the Chambers of Eze Okafor & Co, my lawyers to pursue the case to its logical conclusion to ensure that the purveyors of hate and lawlessness are brought to book in line with our enabling laws.

    “As provided by our constitution, I demand to be heard, and I am sure that the court will ensure that the twin pillars of natural justice will be observed to the later in handling the case. We have not lost hope in our judicial system.

    “I urge my immediate community Egbema, the entire Igbo speaking people of Rivers state who are solidly behind me and all my supporters across Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, and Delta to stand by the rule of law throughout the period of this contest.

    “Our resolve strengthens Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s unity and progress. Together, we’ll navigate this challenge.

    “My Governor, His Excellency, Siminialayi Fubara GSSRS unwavering support is most highly appreciated and same cannot be taken for granted. Your Excellency’s leadership indeed inspires me.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo embodies Igbo unity, progress, and peaceful coexistence. Our organization promotes harmony among Igbos worldwide. Let’s prioritize peace and unity.

    “I reaffirm my commitment to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ideals; unity, progress and peace in Igbo land.

    “Justice shall prevail; Igbo unity and progress remain our guiding principles.

    “I assure all of you that we shall overcome this minor setback as our democratic values are non-negotiable.”

  • Okiro: Why proposed decentralization of police can’t work

    Okiro: Why proposed decentralization of police can’t work

    Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, on Friday, November 24, said the planned decentralisation of the Nigeria Police would not achieve its desired objective now. 

    He said the factors that made it fail in the past have not been addressed.

    Okiro made this assertion while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 2023 Convention of the Old Seminarians Association of Nigeria (OSAN).

    The OSAN convention was hosted by the Clerk to the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, in Abuja.

    The former IGP explained the advent of the Nigerian police, saying that authorities of the sub-regional institutions had their own police separate from the ones being controlled by the central government.

    He said the the state police idea might not work now because of lack of funds at both the state and local government levels.

    He said: “how can states and local government areas that could not effectively pay the salaries of their workers be able to fund their own police force?”

    Okiro said however that state police can only work if Nigeria to adopts the Canadian police model.

    The Canadian model, according to him, would involve the states recruiting the police personnel that would be funded by the Federal Government.

    “The only way we can have state police in Nigeria is to adopt the Canadian model, where every region has its own police employed by the region and paid by the federal.

    “For example, in Nigeria every governor would employ their own police, equip them while they would be paid by the Federal Government.

    “Before the advent of what we have now, we had ‘dandoka’,  we had police in the West, we also had police in the East.

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    “Local governments had their Police, but because of the behaviour of the local police officers, during the time of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon in 1971 or thereabout, he turned it to the Nigeria Police Force.

    “I am opposed to the state police because of the benefit of hindsight, how they behaved in those days, unless you want to throw away the benefits of history.”

    The former IGP lamented that the police has been left to rot and confronted with so many challenges.

    He said: “There is no equipment, no manpower, no welfare. They are demoralized, and  frustrated.

    “We need to ginger the police to do something, by encouraging them.”

    “I have equally said time without number, everything has advantages and disadvantages, merits and demerits.

    “If you adopt state police, the state government that cannot pay teachers, nurses and doctors, can they pay the police?

    “You cannot afford to owe police one month salary, insecurity will be at the highest level in that state. If the state governments can’t  pay the civil servants, I wonder how they can pay the police.”

    He appealed to the federal government to invest heavily on equipping and training of the police in order to tackle the current insecurity in the country.

    Okiro said: “There is gross insecurity in the country. You know Nigeria is part of the world. Insecurity is a global issue, but every country sits down to plan and to devise methods to check insecurity.

    “In Nigeria, the government is equally trying to check insecurity. You cannot get 100 per cent but you can be sure you have done your best and leave the rest to God.

    “The government should ensure that security agencies are well equipped and trained. Police is short of manpower, they should recruit more people and give them equipment to solve the problem.

    “You cannot solve the problem of insecurity with bare hand. We are in a modern, digitalised world.

    “So, you fight insecurity with technology. The government should do something to ensure that security agencies are well equipped to confront these criminals, because the criminals go to the internet, they read. So, they are ahead of the security agencies.

    “For you to succeed, the security agencies should be ahead of them and tackle them before they do what they want to do.”

    The Clerk to the Senate in his welcome address, identified lack of patriotism among Nigerians as a major ill bedeviling the country.

    Akubueze noted: “The Nigerian society is bedeviled by self-imposed ills. occasioned by our lack of collective sense of patriotism which, ordinarily should emphasize love for the nation rather than undue recourse to ethno-religious cleavages and clannish leanings.

    “Here in OSAN, we are set to chart a new course of national consciousness aimed at cementing the bonds that hold us together as Nigerians rather than the dissimilarities that tend to tear us apart.

    “Our sense of fraternity is one that recognizes the fact that we are of diverse ethnic extractions, yet bonded together by a common heritage, a scenario that has helped in fostering love, camaraderie and collective sense of responsibility and purposefulness within our rank and file.

    “Of course, we have no doubts whatsoever that OSAN is an Association whose future prosperity is guaranteed, a brotherhood of likeminded individuals whose members would, within the next few years, seize the opportunities open to them to advance their wellbeing as well as that of the larger Nigerian society.

    “To actualize our dreams within a record time, all hands must be on deck. We must pull resources together, both human and material in order to create a prosperous and glorious future.”

  • Okiro calls for synergy in tackling security challenges on Abuja-Kaduna highway

    Mr Mike Okiro, a  former Inspector General of  Police, has called for synergy amongst all  security agencies and  communities to addressing the challenge of insecurity along Kaduna -Abuja Highway.

    Okiro made the call in Abuja at an awareness forum on Finger off the Trigger,  National Peace, Unity and Disarmament,  organised by Salute Nigeria Initiative.

    The  forum was coordinated by a Nigerian Music Ambassador to Germany, Amb. Chielo Orjirika, also known as Chiboy, the Black Courage.

    Okiro expressed worry at the rate of insecurity on the Kaduna- Abuja Highway, which he said must be stopped by all possible means.

    “The issue of banditry along Kaduna road and other parts of the country is a serious issue that needs to be solved and can be solved in so many ways.

    “What is happening there is worrisome because Abuja-Kaduna is a dual carriage way, the nearest major city is Abuja and you expect mass movement on that road, but  unfortunately something serious is happening there.

    “We have to stop it in so many ways because the people committing the crimes are living in Nigeria and there should be information about their movement, so they can be  tracked by the community, security agencies.

    “The police cannot do much unless the public cooperating with them.

    “There should be synergy between the police and all the security agencies; all the security agencies are out there to secure the country,” he said.

    According to him, there must be cooperation among all the security agencies to ensure that the same goals are achieved.

    “Members of the public should also cooperate with security agencies.

    “If there is no information there is nothing for the security agencies to work with.

    “There must be adequate training for the police because we are in the modern world; one cannot do anything without training if there is training they can achieve much,” he said.(NAN)

  • Senate confirms Smith as chairman PSC

    The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of Mr. Musiliu Adeola Kunbi Smith as chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC).

    The upper chamber also confirmed six others as members of the commission.

    Smith will take over from Mr. Mike Okiro as PSC boss

    The confirmation followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs on the screening of the nominees.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, who presented the report prayed the Senate to consider and approve the appointment of the nominees as chairman and members of the PSC in compliance with the provisions of Section 153(1)(m) and 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    Apart from Smith (South west),the nomination of Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi (rtd) (North East) (full time commissioner); Lawal Bawa (AIG) (rtd) (North West) (full time commissioner) and Muhammad H. Najatu (North West) member were also approved.

    Others also confirmed included Braimoh Adogame Austin (South South) member, Barrister Rommy Mom (North Central) member and Dr. Nkemka Oshimiri Jombo-Ofo (South East) member.

    Before the confirmation, Senator James Manager (Delta south) said that one of the full time commissioners should have been appointed from either South South or South East geo-political zones for balance.

    Manager noted that a situation where the North West, North East and South West geo-political zones got full member slots without any full time commissioner from the South South and South East was not particularly tidy.

    Read Also: Buhari seeks ICCs action on corruption cases, illicit financial flows

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, commended the quality of persons nominated for the commission.

    Saraki reminded the appointees that Nigerians were expecting a lot from them.

    He noted that due to the huge expectations from Nigerians, the Senate fast tracked the process of screening and confirmation of their appointments.

    The appointees, he said, should carry out necessary reforms in the Police Force especially reward for excellent service delivery by officers and men of the Force.

    Saraki also asked them to work to halt the high number of policemen who die in their line of duty.

  • Ambode decorates task force chairman with new rank

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday decorated the Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (TaskForce), Olayinka Egbeyemi with his new rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

    He was promoted to his new rank on June, 2018.

    Egbeyemi who was appointed Chairman, Task Force on March 10, 2016 by the Governor studied Philosophy at Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University) and also obtained Master’s Degree in International Relations and Startegic Studies at Lagos State University (LASU).

    Between August 15, 2002 and February 2004 he was at the Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC), Kano State where he was trained as a cadet Assistant Supretendent of Police (ASP).

    He started his Police career at Aguda Police Station, Surulere, Lagos in 2004 as Traffic Officer and an administrative officer at Elere Divisional Police Station, Agege.

    Egbeyemi was deployed as Crime Officer (1) at Alausa Divisional Police Station and Deputy Police PRO, Lagos State Command.

    After his excellence performance, he was deployed as PA/Staff Officer to Inspector General of Police, IGP Mike Okiro (Rtd) and later he became the ADC to Governor Ibikunle Amosun where he resigned voluntarily.

    Read Also: Tanker Fire: Ambode visits scene, describes incident sad, unfortunate

    He attended several courses, both home and abroad which includes: Peace Support Operation and Anti-Terrorist Course at the Prestigious Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Unit (COESPU) in Italy, Combat Craft Operation at Gwazo, Bornu State. Leadership and Citizenship Training at Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State. Aide-De-Camp (ADC) Induction Course at Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State in July 2011. Ad-Hoc duties include Joint Task Force (JTF) with the Military and DSS in Potiskum, Yobe and Kano State engaging insurgents in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

    Egbeyemi is a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police and has attended the ICP Conferences at Philadelphia, Florida, Chicago, and San-Diego in Califonia in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively in United States of America.

  • Reps: IGP on annual leave while country “burns”

    Reps: IGP on annual leave while country “burns”

    That the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Idris, could commence his annual leave while there are security crises in the country is a source of wonder to the House of Representatives.

    Douye Diri, chairman, Adhoc Committee investigating the ‘purported  harassment, intimidation and threat to life’ leveled against the IGP by DCP Abduyari Lafia, via a petition sent to the House has said.

    The lawmaker was surprised that the IGP could not appear at the hearing after two invitations sent to him.

    He said: “it is worrisome for the President to grant three weeks leave to the IGP at this time that the country is experiencing crisis and the security situation is becoming very bad.”

    The Legal Adviser to the IGP had said Idris embarked on three weeks leave following the approval President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He also noted that the petition being investigated by the Adhoc Committee is already before a Court hence any presentation by the IGP will be subjudice.

    He also presented the Court’s summon from the IGP and the petitioners.

    Read Also: IGP to governors: Establish ranches before anti-grazing law

    The Adhoc committee members expressed displeasure over the IGP’s attitude to the issue of security of lives and property.

    They urged the Police to stop treating the Committee with disdain, noting that the sensitive matter before the Committee could drag the Police institution into public disrepute.

    The committee members however resolved to mandate the IGP to appear in person, on a day to be communicated.

    The Lawmakers also note that the Court’s summon will enable the Committee to decide whether it could proceed with the investigate hearing.

    While ruling, The panel’s chair noted that if the Speaker deems it fit, the Court proceedings can not impede the issue being investigated, as provided by the Standing Rules of the House.

    “The matter the Committee is investigating has to do with corruption, harassment and threat to life, between a junior police officer and a senior police officer which when brought to the public domain is not good for the image, credibility and the integrity of the police institution.”

    The Adhoc Committee also invited Mike Okiro, chairman of the Police Service Commission who via a letter sent to the Committee argued that the issue is before the Court.

    “Most times when government agencies and institutions are invited, they look at the Committee of the National Assembly with disdain, and when a vote of no confidence is passed on them, they complain,” the lawmaker said referring to the letter sent to the committee.

  • Police promote 6,455 senior officers

    Police promote 6,455 senior officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday approved the promotion of 6,455 senior police officers following the recommendation of the Inspector- General of Police, Idris Ibrahim.

    The Commission also returned to the IGP all recommendations relating to special promotions.

    The Head of Press at the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, disclosed these in a statement in Abuja.

    The statement said: “Those promoted are – ACP Hilda Ibifuro –Harrison who is now promoted to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG) while two Deputy Commissioners of Police, Ajani Olasupo Babatunde and Olukola Taira Shina were promoted to the rank of Commissioners of Police.

    “47 Superintendents of Police were elevated to Chief Superintendents of Police and 498 Deputy Superintendents of Police promoted to the next rank of Superintendents of Police.

    “5,907 Inspectors were also promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendents of Police, Mohimi D. Edgal and Aji Ali Janga, Deputy Commissioners of Police were appointed acting Commissioners of Police.”

    The PSC said the promotions and other decisions signed by the Commission’s Chairman, Mike Okiro, would be conveyed to the IGP for implementation.

  • Commission approves redeployment of four CPs

    Commission approves redeployment of four CPs

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the redeployment of four Commissioners of Police for effective and efficient policing.

    The affected officers are: Johnson Kokumo, the Commissioner of Police, Armament, is now in charge of the Edo Command; David Akinremi, the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Force Secretary, is now in charge of the Taraba Command.

    Others are: Garba  Umar, redeployed from Bayelsa  Command to Anambra Command and Lawan Ado, Commissioner of Police, General Investigation, FCIID, is now to head the Kwara Command.

    The Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, made this disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Ani said the postings had been communicated to the Inspector-General of Police for implementation.

    He said that the Chairman of the commission, Mr Mike Okiro, had urged the affected officers to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation.

    “He directed them to quickly settle down and face squarely the peculiar challenges of their respective sate commands,” he said.

    Okiro said the commission would  continue to play a fatherly role and would  support and encourage them in the discharge of their duties.

  • PSC to begin second phase of police recruitment

    PSC to begin second phase of police recruitment

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has disclosed that it will soon begin the second phase of the recruitment of 10,000 personnel into the Nigeria Police Force.

    The Commission has also warned prospective candidates not to pay for the recruitment exercise.

    The commission explained that the warning is imperative following information that fraudsters opened facebook account with the name of the Chairman of the Commission, Mike Okiro to defraud people.

    This is contained in a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani.

    According to the statement: “The Commission recently concluded the State screening and would in no distant time begin the second phase of the process leading to the recruitment.

    “Successful applicants from the state screening will soon be invited for the next level of the process”, it added.

    On warning against payment of money to fraudsters, the Commission said: “Fraudsters have opened a fake Facebook account with the name of the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro.

    “They are already demanding for money from applicants of the on-going police recruitment by the Police Service Commission.

    Okiro while emphasizng that the process will be transparent, advised unsuspecting applicants to beware of the fraudsters and restrict themselves from being desperate for recruitment into the Force.

    He also noted that the Commission will resist any pressure to undermine or compromise the integrity of the process and the outcome.

    He also assured Nigerians that the fraudsters would soon be rounded up as the police is already after them and will soon apprehend the culprits.

    According to Okiro: “Anybody paying for any assistance to be recruited will definitely be disappointed. Security operatives are on the alert to arrest those giving and the others that are receiving.

    “If they ask you to bring money, whether the fraudsters, our Staff or Police men, report to us and we will arrest and prosecute the person or persons.”