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Tag: Mr Solomon Arase

  • Our soldiers are over deployed – Former IGP Arase

    Nigeria is over deploying its military personnel to maintain law and order in different parts of the country and the areas where security is most needed is becoming vulnerable, former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase has said.

    The former IGP stated this in Zaria on Monday while presenting a lead paper at the 50th Anniversary and International Conference of Department of Political Science and International Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said such action should be a source of serious concern to the nation.

    Read Also:Soldiers kill 10 kidnappers, bandits in Kaduna

    Arase, who is an ABU alumnus having graduated 38 years ago from the department, also said the country’s soldiers were deployed to 28 states across the federation and that this would continue to undermine the country’s civil police.

    The former police boss said the country should as a matter of urgency national importance strengthen its civil police to allow the military face its primary traditional assignment of defending the country’s external aggression.

    He expressed concern that most state governments hardly convened regular security meeting except when there was a serious security breach, saying that state governors should as matter of priority accord genuine attention to community policing to confront head on the security challenges facing the nation.

    Arase also canvassed for the development of a comprehensive national policy framework for effective security network with much emphasis on community policing where traditional institutions would be deeply involved in security handling.

    The former IG said no society could get its security system right without, first and foremost, the consent of its people since security matters were the concerns of everybody.

    He said Nigerian government should take the advantage of ICT to improve its security system, saying that when he was IG he once requested the then President to send an executive bill to the National Assembly to make it mandatory the installation of CCTV cameras in all shopping malls in Abuja and other cities across the nation.

    In his goodwill message at the occasion, the Emir of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, Malam Zubairu Jibrin, concurred with the position of the former IG on security measures, saying community policing was inevitable if the country was serious in the search for effective security system.

    “Community policing is not new to us (traditional rulers); it has been with us since time immemorial; and it is still relevant to our present situation. In fact, the complete picture of the former IG’s lecture is that security issue is also part of the responsibility of the traditional institutions,” he said.

    The emir, who graced the occasion in his capacity as an alumnus of Department of Political Science and International Studies, urged Nigerian leaders to make it a top priority the welfare of soldiers and police personnel in view of their delicate assignments.

     

  • Why I retained Arase as IGP – Buhari

    Why I retained Arase as IGP – Buhari

    Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari Thursday explained why he decided to retain outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase when he assumed office on May 29, 2015.

    The President who spoke at the public presentation of a publication “Cascade of Change: A Decade Of Liberal Thoughts” authored by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said Arase’s dossier and his intellectual capacity in the field of operations was enough to convince him to allow the former IGP to finish his tenure and retire gracefully from the Police Force.

    Buhari who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina quoted Arase as saying that it was very strange for him to have been invited for a farewell dinner in his honour at the Abuja State House on Monday, June 20.

    According to him, the recent practice has been to be sacked on the pages of Newspapers.

    But quoting President Buhari on why he retained Arase till the end of his tenure, Adesina said: “When it was the turn of the President to speak, he explained why he kept Arase as IGP.

    “He said, he saw the quality of his mind and he saw the quality of things, he had written. You know Arase has many publications to his credit and he also saw his capacity as an operation person and he decided to keep him till his tenure expired”.

    Adesina said the President appreciates sound mind and intellect, adding that Buhari said Arase expressed fears that he expected that he would be sacked before the end of his tenure.

    His words:  “While he (Arase) was speaking at the dinner, he told the President that it was very strange for him to have been invited for a farewell dinner, because, what we know in Nigeria is that, you are sacked on pages of newspapers.

    “Arase, also had the fear that, since, he was inherited by Buhari’s administration, he was not sure that he would be retained; so every day, he had the trepidation that he would hear that he had been removed.”

    Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said his administration has succeeded in laying a strong foundation that would propel the State to emerge as a globally competitive City-State, adding that the next line of action was to consolidate on the gains made so far to deliver on first class infrastructure and economic growth.

    He said the State has the privilege of housing the largest collection of media houses in Nigeria, saying it was an indicator to the fact that every journalist, editor, columnist and blogger has a role to play in the development of the State.

    Ambode while commending the author of the book said it would no doubt go a long way to enhance knowledge as well as shed more light on issues of public discourse and enrich policy design and implementation process.

    He said Mr. Ayorinde’s contributions and participation as the arrowhead of the media and strategy team during his gubernatorial campaign was instructive to what the State Government could achieve if members of the team are on the same page.

    He urged Nigerians to enrich their personal libraries with the book, just as he called on spirited individuals and corporate organisations to purchase copies and endow the libraries of tertiary institutions in the State for the benefit of the students who are the future of our society.

    In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba said in the last one year, Governor Ambode has silently embarked on massive transformation of the State.

    He also commended the swiftness in which the Governor attends to issue of infrastructural renewal, saying many testimonies abound that Governor Ambode is a silent achiever, adding that such was what governance should be all about.

    On his part, a public commentator and development expert, Professor Pat Utomi recalled the early days of Governor Ambode in office when he was criticized by many as lacking the capacity to lead the state, adding that his response then was “you got to think, plan and act,” adding that he was happy that the Governor has proved him right.

    In her goodwill message, former Managing Director of Concord Newspapers, Dr. Doyin Abiola said she was proud that Lagos has always been a centre of excellence producing people of excellence.

    She said: “I have never met the Governor and I have never had any discussion with him but from what he has been doing so far, it was clear that he was prepared for the job and he has been moving from step to step.

    “I have always wondered how Lagos survived when the Local Government allocation of the state was withheld by the Federal Government. I could not understand it and it was said that Governor Ambode successfully managed the account of the state at that time and so I want to commend them for the good works they are doing and urge them to continue.”

    The public presentation of the book was also witnessed by dignitaries including the Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu 1, former deputy governors of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro who represented Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Princess Sarah Sosan, representatives of Oyo and Osun State Governors, as well as the crème-de-la crème of various national dailies, including Chairman Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Sam Omatseye, Editor, The Nation, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, among others.

  • Photo: Police officer wins glo promo award

    Police Inspector General(IG), Mr. Solomon Arase (2nd left) presenting a cheque of N500,000 to John Otame, winner in the Police Cooperative CUG Promo powered by Globacom at the Police Force Headquarters Abuja on Monday. With them are Globacom's Coordinator, Enterprise Sales, Folu Aderibigbe (2nd right), Ag. National Coordinator, Public Sector Sales, Mansur Opakunle (left), and Police AIG in charge of Cooperative and Investment, Dorothy Dongna'an.
    Police Inspector General(IG), Mr. Solomon Arase (2nd left) presenting a cheque of N500,000 to John Otame, winner in the Police Cooperative CUG Promo powered by Globacom at the Police Force Headquarters Abuja on Monday. With them are Globacom’s Coordinator, Enterprise Sales, Folu Aderibigbe (2nd right), Ag. National Coordinator, Public Sector Sales, Mansur Opakunle (left), and Police AIG in charge of Cooperative and Investment, Dorothy Dongna’an.
  • Another judge kidnapped in Kogi, orderly killed

    Another judge kidnapped in Kogi, orderly killed

    Barely one year after a judge of the Kogi State High Court, Justice Samuel Obayomi was kidnapped and his police orderly killed, a judge of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state, Mr. Isaq Momoh Jimoh Usman has been Kidnapped by suspected gunmen.

    His police orderly was reportedly killed during the incident which occurred along the Itakpe – Kuroko road Sunday evening while they were returning to Lokoja.

    The judge was said to have travelled to his village over the weekend and was returning to Lokoja when the suspected gunmen stopped his car along the Okene – Itakpe bye pass in Okehi local government.

    It was learnt that the suspected kidnappers mowed down the police orderly immediately while the driver of the judge received bullet wounds, before their victim was taken to unknown destination.

    A source said that the late police orderly made to prevent the kidnappers from abducteding the judge when he was shot by one of the abductors, and his service pistol taken away.

    The remains of late police orderly said the source, was deposited at the morgue in an undisclosed hospital, and the driver who was said to have received several gun shots is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Lokoja.

    Confirming the incident, the information officer, Kogi State Ministry Justice , Mr. Saqeeb Saeed, said that the Customary Court of Appeal judge was kidnapped along Okene – Kuroko bye pass on Sunday evening.

    Efforts made to confirm the killing of the police orderly proved abortive as calls made to the Kogi Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wllly Aya was not responded to.

    Similarly, it was gathered that two yet-to-be identified women coming from Abuja were abducted along the Obajana – Okene road last friday

    It would be recalled that a forthnight ago, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase deployed a detachment of Special Anti-robbery Squad from Abuja, while apatrol helicopter was stationed in Lokoja to combat the menace of kidnappers in Kogi State.

    However, barely one week after the federal SARS operatives returned to their base, activities of the abductors appeared to have spiked in Kogi State again.

  • Kidnapping: IGP deploy chopper, mobile units to Kogi

    Kidnapping: IGP deploy chopper, mobile units to Kogi

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase has deployed a helicopter, 35 Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squads and four detachments of mobile policemen to Kogi State to flush out kidnappers and other hoodlums that have been operating in the state.

    The exercise which commenced last Sunday witnessed arrest of some suspected kidnappers while other suspects were allegedly killed in their various hideouts during gun battles with the special force agents.

    The state Police Commissioner, Usman Yakubu while presenting the helicopter and the supporting units to the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello at government house yesterday noted that on behalf of the state governor, his office approached the Inspector General of Police, on the need to beef up the security following frequent kidnapping of people in the state.

    He said that the IGP graciously approved his request as he gave directive that one helicopter should be stationed in Lokoja the state capital for urgent security operation

    He assured the governor that since the arrival of the team, they have arrested some suspected kidnappers from their camps across the state adding that they will continue to bombard their hide out until the state was free from the criminals’ claw.

    “With this helicopter, we can easily track down either kidnappers or robbers operating in the state. The area view gives us full details of the suspected criminal while operating” he said.

    The governor in his remark thanked the Inspector General of Police for his prompt respond stressing that he will do everything he could to assist them.

    He said he administration will bring to book criminals who thought they have gain freedom for questioning about their past criminal activities in the state.

    Governor Bello assured the Police Commissioner of his full support noting that he will give them maximum support that will boost their moral

    The governor disclosed that 12 operational vehicles were donated to the law enforcement agencies in the state to ‎help combat crimes.

    He charged them to step up action by embarking on aggressive manhunt of criminals in the state who have constituted themselves to threat to life, peace and security through kidnapping and cultism.

    The governor equally charged the community leaders in the state to close ranks with one another by being vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the law enforcement agencies in their areas.

  • Enugu killings: We are working hard to track down attackers – Arase

    Enugu killings: We are working hard to track down attackers – Arase

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, said the Police were working hard to unravel the true identities of herdsmen killing innocent Nigerians in parts of the country.

    Arase stated this in Jos, Plateau, on Friday while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after delivering a paper at a Public Lecture at the University of Jos.

    He said the police had made some arrests in connection with the Nimbo killings in Enugu, adding that investigation had been intensified to unravel the identity of the assailants.

    He added that the police were determined to devise ways to end the bloodletting in the country.

    “I was in Enugu and the Commissioner of Police has briefed me that arrests have been made, and from the interrogation, we should be able to situate their identities.

    “We should be able to establish whether they are herdsmen or mercenaries who are coming to destabilise our way of life,’’ Arase said.

    He explained that the recent ban on sale of petrol in jerry cans did not affect those that needed the product for their generators.

    “It is not targeted at people carrying out their legitimate business; for instance, if you need it to power your generator, we will not harass you.

    “It is targeted at people who are hoarding and selling,’’ he said, adding that the ban had been amended to “reflect the true intent of what we are doing’’.

    Earlier in his paper entitled “Police and Public Partnership in Prevention and Control of Violent Crimes and Conflicts in Nigeria’’, Arase restated that the police must work with the public to achieve their mandate.

    According to him, several reforms have been initiated to entrench cordial relationship between the police and the public.

    In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Hayward Mafuyai, commended the IG for the lecture, describing it as thought-provoking.

    Mafuyai said the lecture was to educate the university community and the public on some pertinent issues on policing and crime prevention.

    He expressed confidence that the public had benefited from security tips offered by the police boss.

  • Herdsmen’s killings: Buhari gives Chief of Army Staff, IGP matching order

    Herdsmen’s killings: Buhari gives Chief of Army Staff, IGP matching order

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday ordered the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Abayomi Olonishakin and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase to take immediate steps to secure communities under attack by herdsmen.
    The President also ordered Olonishakin and Arase to go after groups terrorizing innocent Nigerians in communities and villages.
    The President gave the matching order at the presentation of the book, “Who will Love my Country” written by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in Abuja.
    President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, warned that his government will no longer allow the attacks to continue.
    He specifically condemned the attacks said to have been carried out by Fulani herdsmen in Uzo-Uwani local government of Enugu State which claimed many lives on Sunday.
    He said, “Let me start by condemning in strongest terms the attacks by herdsmen in Enugu State on Monday.  I deeply sympathize with those who lost their lives as well as those who lost their property.
    “I have directed the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector – General of Police to secure all communities under attacks by herdsmen and to go after the groups terrorising innocent people all over the country. This government will not allow these attacks to continue.”
    On the book, Buhari said that the author saw the need for attitudinal change for the purpose of fighting corruption and impunity and of course the need for Nigerians to love their country.
    He noted that “the author demonstrated in the book that Nigerians can only get the Nigeria of their dreams if they make bold efforts to put the nation’s interest above their individual interest.”
    He said, “We should start with individual attitude of change,  if we change our ways, the society will change for the better.
     “The author urged all tiers of government to undertake programmes and policies that will enhance the living standards of the people and ensure their happiness.
    “The 2016 budget is designed to bring our people out of poverty, enhance their living standards and bring smiles to their faces. The N500billion social intervention fund was designed to among others create jobs for 500, 000 unemployed graduates, provide loans for one million Nigerians including market men and women as well as artisans to start up their business.
    “It also includes feeding of 4.5million students in schools. Nigerians can only have and live in the country of their dreams by shunning corruption and desist from converting public property for personal usage or divert public funds to their private pockets.
    “I commend Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, for investing his time and energy to write the book which is a wake up call and thought provoking.”
    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) who chaired the event said that from the title of the book, it is easy to determine that Ekweremadu has set out on a journey of self discovery.
    Gen. Gowon said, “It is a journey that is hinged on patriotism. I will want to believe that the motivation to write this book, derives in that part from the circumstances of our nation’s contemporary history. In itself this could be likened to bad times in which new life cannot be brought forward.
    “Many years back we fought a war to remain united, indivisible nation, this was because we believe and still believe that what bounds us is far greater than what divides us.
    “There is no denying the fact that Nigeria is stronger together and that the future remains very bright. Let us continue to move together as one. Nigeria has a great potential to become great, but it is left for each and every one of us to do our best to ensure and hasten the process.
    “Who will Love My Country?  The truth is no one but you and I. The foreigner cannot love our country the way we will love it. Neither can you love other country more than you will like your own.
    “We shall overcome all challenges if the leadership is committed to truly serve the people, and avoid corruption which I believe that the current leadership will tackle.
    “Definitely not insurgency or Fulani herdsmen’s menace will divide us because with the help of God and cooperation of the citizenry and the gallant security forces, we shall soon conquer.”
    Senator Ekweremadu in his speech asked Nigerians to show more love for the country by rising above tribe, ethnic, religious and political persuasions, with a view to subordinate all the aforementioned interests, to the overriding interest of the country.
    He also called on Nigerian leaders to govern effectively and use power wisely, saying that was the only way to safeguard the citizens’ interest.
    He noted that to love Nigeria, would entail Nigerians to critically revise and reexamine their attitudes,  values, and how they treat one another, which “demands of us some sacrifice.”
    He asked: “Are we going to bequeath to our children a banner stained by corruption, bad governance, ineffective leadership, ethnicity, slacking moral values, decadence, mediocrity, and sloth? God forbid!”
    He said Nigeria needed to return to the path of progress and unity charted by the founding fathers.
    He said: “If you are on a journey and you find out that you are travelling the wrong road, the right thing to do is to turn back and take the right path.
    “We must be ready to surrender our perceived narrow advantages to the general good. We must let go, for unless you release the man you are holding to the ground, you would not also be able to move an inch. Now is the time to offer one another a hand of comradeship and together we can move to the Promised Land.”
    He reiterated the fact that he wrote the book, not as the Deputy President of the Senate, nor as a card carrying member of any political party, but as a patriotic Nigerian, who was concerned about Nigeria’s future.
    He added, “I lay no claims to having the solutions to Nigeria’s problems; I simply want to challenge and inspire Nigerians to rise above ethnic, partisan and selfish interests and focus more on how to build a better country for us and our children.”
    Ekweremadu, further charged Nigerian Leaders to “show fidelity to democratic imperatives of accountability and transparency, respect the laws of the land and respect the rights and liberties of citizens.
    “Nobody can save or help Nigeria but Nigerians. As Timi Dakolo rightly pointed out in his thought-provoking song, Great Nation, ‘We are all we have’. That is the message of this book.  There are no problems Nigerians cannot solve if we act in good faith, guided by the nation’s best interest.
    At the event, where a minute silence, at the behest of Ekweremadu, was observed in honour of those who were killed in Uzo Uwani in Enugu State as well as other parts of the country, the Deputy President of the Senate said “the sad incident further reinforces the need for this book and the ideas espoused in the book”.
    “The primary responsibility of government is the security of lives and properties of the citizens. We must rethink our security system to serve us better”, he declared.
    The book presentation had in attendance a retinue of serving and former governors, ministers, party leaders, federal lawmakers, across political divides.
    It also recorded a high turnout of members of the academia, diplomatic corps, and the civil society.
  • FG assures police of adequate funding

    FG assures police of adequate funding

    The Federal Government on Friday promised to address the challenges of inadequate funding, training and other challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the promise at the inaugural annual Inspector-General of Police’s Strategic Police Management Conference in Abuja.

    Osinbajo was represented at the conference by Dr Yomi Dipeolu, his Special Adviser on Economic Matters, which has “Custodial Violence and Strategic Police Management in Nigeria” as its theme.

    He told the police that “in view of the importance of your role in maintaining law and order, we will address the challenges of adequate funding, training and other challenges that you face.”

    On custodial violence, the vice president attributed the delay in the trial of cases to the attitude of police toward confessional statements.

    He said “it is my view that the current way in which the police take confessional statements is the reason or one of the main causes in delay of trial.”

    He noted that in some cases, the confessional statements do more harm than good to the case of the prosecution.

    He urged the police to take advantage of the new provisions in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to record voluntary confessional statements on video or take it in the presence of a legal counsel of the suspect.

    Osinbajo urged the police commanding officers to monitor the behaviour of officers in the field and at the station as this would determine the cooperation of the public.

    Earlier, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said that the police needed the support of Nigerians to discharge its constitutional roles.

    He said that the police must be rebuilt to inspire confidence in every citizen.

    Malami added that the present administration was committed to ensuring that the police became more humane and efficient institution in the country.

    He urged police officers to desist from violating the rights of citizens and improve on their capacity.

    In a remark, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, said there was a manpower gap at the strategic policing level in the country.

    He said there was a need to initiate sustainable training and capacity building to bridge the gap and prepare the force for future challenges.

    Arase noted that the police was collaborating with local and international experts to institute a training intervention and capacity building annually.

    He urged officers to embrace opportunities to sharpen their intellectual and professional skills.

    “Let me emphasise that the future of the Nigeria Police rests not necessarily on the acquisition of weaponry, but on requisite policing knowledge,” he added.

  • Policemen to undergo drug abuse test -Arase

    Policemen to undergo drug abuse test -Arase

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has said that henceforth, all Policemen will undergo snap urine tests to ascertain signs of drug abuse before they could be issued firearms.

    Arase disclosed this at the launch of drug testing kits and campaign against sudden death of police officers in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The programme was organised by the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Hypertension and Diabetes Awareness Foundation.

    He said that apart from denying officers who failed the test access to firearms, the force would wean them from drugs or other psychological problems.

    Arase noted that the killing of Nigerians from misapplication of firearms by policemen had made the public to cast aspersions on the police.

    “After an in-depth study, my team and I have found out that some of these fatal cases could be due to mishandling of firearms by police officers who are psychologically unfit to handle firearms at that time.

    “We have therefore decided that the medical assessment of persons we recruit into the police Force will include a psychological assessment, “he said.

    He said that some of these psychological problems could also have resulted from drug abuse by few of the officers.

    Arase said that the police had also initiated a policing strategy that would witness the transition of the police from relying on firearms to manage social disorders.

    “Orders have been placed for this weaponry and adequate training framework is being put in place.

    “My long term vision is to effectively address issues that engender misuse of firearms and give true meaning to our mandate of safeguarding the lives of our citizens,” he said.

    He said that the Force had also decided to address the issue of frequent sudden death of police officers from preventable or avoidable health challenges.

    Arase said that medical personnel had attributed such deaths to chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

    He said that following this discovery, the medical department had been directed to screen all officers for the diseases.

    “I encourage all men to come forward for health screening.

    “Our medical section is well positioned to manage any health problems our officers and men may have,“he said.

    Earlier, the Force Medical Officer, AIG Adenike Abuwa, said that the initiative was aimed at further protecting the lives of Nigerians from accidental discharge by police officers.

    Abuwa said that a three-day capacity building workshop for medical officers would hold at all police health facilities nationwide to improve mental care delivery services in the police.

    She said that the sudden death programme was part of the police collective response to the growing prevalence of sudden death in the police community and Nigeria at large.

    “In line with global best practices, this programme has been organised to educate police officers on healthy lifestyle and regular medical checkup.

    “This initiative will ensure prompt identification and management of conditions that lead to non-communicable diseases among the police community,“she said.

    She said also that the programme would be held at zonal and state commands to ensure that no police personnel were left out.

    The high point of the occasion was the launch of the drug testing kits by Arase.

     

  • Police spends N600m on dogs

    Police spends N600m on dogs

    The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Solomon Arase, has said that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had spent over N600 million on the procurement and maintenance of foreign dogs in the last few years.

    Arase made the disclosure at the inauguration of the Police Dog Breeding Centre and Ultra Modern Mounted Troop in Abuja on Thursday.

    “This is certainly not sustainable in the face of the current dwindling resources,” he said.

    The IG said that so much money was being spent on the importation of dogs from foreign countries that rarely adapted to the country’s policing objective.

    He said that the projects inaugurated were funded within the budgetary provisions of the Force Animal Branch.

    Arase said that the force animal branch had remained under utilised in the past while the force continued to rely on importation of dogs and other animals for its operations.

    He said that the centre was built to aid the police acquire capacity to locally breed police dogs as well as support other security agencies in the country.

    The Police boss said that the centre if effectively utilised, would save the nation some foreign exchange that would have gone into procurement of dogs from foreign countries.

    The IG said that the centre had the capacity to breed and supply police dogs to the entire West African sub-region.

    “It is projected that at optimal breeding capacity, it can produce well above 200 dogs per year,” he said.

    He said that the establishment of the facilities was part of the long term strategies aimed at restoring police primacy and aligning it to best global standards.

    In a remark, the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, said the projects were timely considering the current security challenges facing the country.

    Dambazau said that Nigerians deserved a police that was competent and reliable.

    He said that the projects would not only reduce spending but would also provide job opportunities for other Nigerians aside from the police.

    The high point of the occasion was a display by police dogs and award presentation to the Minister of Interior, Arase, and Mr Mike Okiro, Chairman, Police Service Commission, among other.