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Tag: Solomon Arase

  • FG approves funds for takeoff Police recruitment

    FG approves funds for takeoff Police recruitment

    President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the government has approved funds for the takeoff of the 10,000 police personnel to be recruited in to the Nigeria Police Force.

    The President has also tasked the Force to put national interest first as it begins the recruitment exercise nationwide.

    The president noted that aside addressing the national challenge of youth unemployment, the recruitment will bridge the chronic manpower gap inherited by this regime in the Nigeria Police

    Buhari also highlighted community input in policing as part of ways to address the current national security challenges that has threatened national values and development strides.

    Buhari made these known in Abuja yesterday during the Ceremonial Parade to mark 11th Biennial Nigeria Police Week.

    The president who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd) said: “the Federal Government approved the recruitment of additional 10,000 police personnel and also approved funds for the take-off of the exercise.

    “Aside addressing the national challenge of youth unemployment, this initiative will bridge the chronic manpower gap inherited by this regime in the Nigeria Police.  In carrying out this exercise, I expect the Nigeria Police to put national interest in the forefront so that it will be in line with the reforms agenda being pursued under the Ministry of Interior.

    Buhari also revealed that the Federal Government has funded the procurement of over 1,000 Patrol Vehicles and other logistics to strengthen the operational capacity of the Safer Highway Patrol Scheme and support the deployment of police personnel towards security stabilization and restoration of civil authority in the North East.

    On the need for community input in policing, he said, “the need for a police system that is driven by community input in Nigeria has even become more imperative considering our current national security challenges in which Kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, transnational crimes, terrorism and other organized crimes have evolved to threaten our national values and developmental strides.”

    Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase vowed to redeem the image of the Nigeria Police Force and also deal with criminal elements who threaten the existence of the Force.

    According to him, “We are determined to take the criminal battle to the footsteps of elements that continue to threaten our peace and security and remind the nation that with their support, the new police Force vows to defeat the threat of terror and other internal security threats.

    “We are passing a clear message to the criminal community that the wind of change is now blowing through the Police, a cultural reorientation that is premised on adoption of international best policing practices is emerging, and a new Police Force that will display team spirit, loyalty, zeal, courage, civility and renewed commitment towards confronting criminal elements, hand-in-hand with the citizens is evolving.”

    Arase who reassured the Federal Government of its commitment to restore its lost primacy also assured the citizens of its determination to live the true meaning of the common saying ‘Police is your friend’.

    According to him, “In my capacity as the IGP, I wish to use this occasion to reassure the president of the loyalty of officers and men of the -Force and our firm determination-to advance ­the vision of a professional, community-driven police Force that will remain civil to the citizens, but potent enough to respond to any threat to our internal security and national cohesion.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Police officers need God- IGP

    Police officers need God- IGP

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has said police officers need the presence of God to effectively perform their duties.
    The IGP spoke in Abuja on Sunday during the Thanksgiving Service to mark the 11th Biennial Police Games and Week at the National Christian Centre.
    He explained that the strenuous and difficult nature of their job makes the presence of God an important factor.
    According to Arase, “the spiritual upliftment of police officers is very important because it is God that puts in vision in our minds and being police officers, our job is so strenuous and difficult. So, we need the presence of God to be able to guide the citizens right.
    “If you are a banker and you make an error, you lose money, but as a police officer, if you make an error, you lose lives and you know that is very critical. We police officers must be very prayerful and close to God so that our decisions and the things that we use in pushing up our men are such that are not fatal to their lives,” Arase said.

  • Kogi Assembly: Police awaiting Malami’s advice

    Kogi Assembly: Police awaiting Malami’s advice

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has said he is awaiting the advice of the Minister of Justice before carrying out the directive by the House of Representatives.

    The House of Representatives took over the functions of the Kogi House of Assembly due to its unresolved crisis.

    The House also ordered the police boss to seal off the Kogi Assembly since the House has been taken over.

    The Lower Chamber, which arrived at the decision in one of its plenary sessions, explained that its action was in line with the provision of Section 11 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which says the National Assembly could take over the functions of any state assembly that is in crisis.

    The IGP,  however, said he sent the papers to the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for legal advice and is awaiting the minister’s response.

    Arase disclosed this in Abuja yesterday during Police Walk Against Crime (PWAC).

    The walk was part of activities to celebrate the police week.

    On the order that the police should take over the Kogi State House of Assembly, the IGP said: “What I have done is to send the papers to the minister of justice so that he would be able to render an opinion.

    “I am a police officer but I also need the advice of a legal expert to actually know the way forward. So, once I get the minister’s response, I will be able to take a decision. So, I am waiting for the response of the Minister of Justice.”

    Speaking on the essence of the walk, Arase said: “The mental and physical health of the police officer determine the level of their alertness and preparedness to actually police the security space.

    “We are going to encourage this walk and maybe quarterly, all the Commands will be encouraged to come out and reach out to various communities where they are serving through this walk.

    “What we are trying to do is to reinvent the Nigeria police by reaching out to members of the society. It’s a way of making communities know that we cannot do it alone and that we need every member of the society to provide us with sufficient information and intelligence for us to deal with crime,” he explained.

    Those who participated in the walk include Kanu Nwankwo, Darey Art Alade, Charley Boy, Korede Bello, John Fashanu, Nuhu Ali and police officers.

  • 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.

     

  • Ese Oruru: We will prosecute Yunusa’s father if… – Arase

    Ese Oruru: We will prosecute Yunusa’s father if… – Arase

    The Inspector- General of Po‎lice, Mr. Solomon Arase, has said the police would prosecute the father of Yunusa, aka Yellow, who was accused of abducting a 14-year-girl, Ese Oruru if investigation found him wanting.

    Arase, however, noted that Yunusa’s father was not the person at the center of the abduction saga and dismissed claims by the man’s father that his son has not committed any crime.

    The IGP spoke in Benin City, Edo State, at a one-day awareness workshop on sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria, organised by the Nigeria Police, in collaboration with Cleen Foundation and Ford Foundation.

    Represented by the Gender Officer, Force Criminal ‎Intelligence and Investigation Department, Mrs. Mairo Adebalogun, Arase noted that the man’s claim of innocence was irrelevant and insisted that Yunusa would be prosecuted.

     

     

  • Reps to IGP: Find three School girls abducted in Lagos

    Reps to IGP: Find three School girls abducted in Lagos

    The House of Representatives Wednesday urged the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase to intensify efforts to ensure that the three girls abducted from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School in Ikorodu, Lagos State are released.

    The House also urged the Police and other agencies to step up strict surveillance in Ikorodu and all schools in the state to avoid similar occurrence.

    The Green Chamber also resolved to send a powerful 10- member delegation to Lagos on the issue.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion on matters of urgent public importance sponsored by a member Babjimi Benson with the title: “Urgent Need to Seek the Release of Abducted Female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School in Ikorodu.”

    According to the lawmaker, the girls were abducted on Monday, February 29 by heavily armed gunmen at about 8pm after they scaled the fence of the school.

    “More than 24 hours after the sad incident, the Nigeria Police Force and other concerned agencies of government have not been able to reunite the abducted girls with their parents,” he said.

    According to the lawmaker, “the incidence of insecurity in Ikorodu Federal Constituency is becoming worrisome as the security agencies of government are finding it difficult to protect lives and properties.”

    A member, Ekpoattai Ime while contributing noted that it is sad for a mother not to know where her child is adding that it is against God and humanity.

    She said: “I urge this Honourable House and the IGP to intensify efforts to recover the girls. Girls are now kidnapped everyday in Nigeria, even women, this is sad.”

    Another member, Aisha Dukku in her contribution, said it is important that the House visits the school and the parents.

    Sequel to the adoption of the motion, the House raised an ad-hoc committee of 10 members from the Standing Committee Police Affairs, Public Safety and Intelligence and Education.

    The mandate of the committee is to visit Lagos State to investigate the abduction of the three school girls; visit the State Commissioner of Police, the school, parents of the girls and the Lagos State Governor and report back to the House as soon as possible.

    In a related development, the Bayelsa State caucus in the House of Representatives while confirming the release of the 14 year old Ese Orusu that was abducted from Bayelsa Wednesday said the full weight of the law must be applied on all those involved in the abduction.

    The lawmakers that included Diri Duoye, Sodaguno Festus-Omoni and Fred Agbedi expressed their determination to work with other lawmakers and stakeholders in the review and domestication of the Child Rights Act.

    Meanwhile, Solomon Ahwinawhi (PDP, Delta), who represents Ughelli North, Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency of Delta state, where the parents of the abducted girl hails from defended the Emir Kano, Lamido Sanusi, saying the monarch’s role in the incidence should not be condemned.

  • Police on trail of Tompolo – Arase

    Police on trail of Tompolo – Arase

    The Inspector –General of Police, Solomon Arase, on Friday said his men are on the trail of ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    “We are looking for Tompolo and my men are on his trail. We will arrest him anywhere we see him,” Arase told reporters in Ado Ekiti.

    Tompolo was slammed with a 40-count charge bordering on money laundering and fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The ex-militant chief has refused to heed EFCC’s summons for interrogation.

    He also failed to appear before the court prompting the warrant of arrest.

    He has since been declared wanted by the EFCC.

     

  • Poll: Police confirm three killed in Bayelsa

    Contrary to reports that about 20 people were killed during the Bayelsa governorship election, the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, on Tuesday said only three people actually died as a result of violence that marred the poll.

    Abba made the clarification when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed, visited him at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

    He said, “The media was awash with the number of people that died, but the true situation is that only three people were killed during the rerun election. The media created situation that can lead to anarchy in the system and it can also heighten the fear of citizens.”

    Earlier, the minister urged the police to leverage on its huge investigative capacity and protect vulnerable places in the Northeast.

  • Police promotes 37,000 officers, dismisses 51

    Police promotes 37,000 officers, dismisses 51

    The Nigeria Police Force has announced the promotion of over 36,000 officers of the Force to various ranks.
    The IGP explained that the promotion became necessary after he identified stagnation on a rank as an indices that engenders corruption in the Police.
    Also, the police boss disclosed that between May and November, 2015, the anti-corruption enforcement architecture emplaced by him has led to the dismissal of 51 personnel for proven corrupt practices while 56 have been awarded various punishments.
    The IGP also stated that the Police should not be blamed for the electoral violence that was witnessed in some areas in Bayelsa during the governorship election.
    The IGP made this known on Wednesday in Abuja at the last strategic meeting in 2015 with senior officers of the Force.
    Speaking on the promotion, the IGP said: “Stagnation on a rank was identified as one of the frustrating indices that engenders corruption in the Nigeria Police and on account of this, since my appointment, I have with the consistent understanding and support of the Police Service Commission, initiated the promotion of over 35,000 rank and files who have been stagnated on their ranks for varying years across all Commands.
    Giving the breakdown, the Police chief said: “456 Police Constable will be promoted to the rank of Corporal, 28,530 Corporal will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and 6,443 Sergeants will be promoted to the rank of Inspector.
    “This figure includes personnel who have consistently risked their lives and courageously confronted insurgents in the Northeast. Most of them have been considered for special promotion and in addition, over 5,184 Traffic Wardens that have remained demotivated and agitated for years due to rank stagnation have also been promoted while 995 senior officers have been promoted from the rank of Assistant Superinettendent of Police (ASP) to Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
    He also noted that officers in the northeast were given over 1400 slot in the promotional exercise.
    “We also gave some slot to our colleagues in the Northeast. We could not pull them out from the theatre of war, they were not on ground but we are promoting about 1400, so if you add it up, it’s about 37,000 of them and we want to promote all of them. Once their Commissioners are going back, they will go with it and it is going to be with effect from the 1st of January, 2016.
    On the recruitment of 10,000 officers as instructed by President Muhammadu Buhari earlier this year, Arase said: “For the recruitment of the 10,000 more officers, the template has already been drawn out between our training department, the Police Service Commission, Federal Character Commission. All the necessary bodies that are supposed to sit together to bring out a template have done that already and we are now thinking of putting it into the next fiscal year budget because it has to be budgeted for.
    He further said: “You don’t send people on training without paying their salaries, their lecturers also must be paid and you must sew uniforms for them and as well repair some schools where they will undergo training”.
    Speaking on the electoral violence witnessed during the Bayelsa election, the IGP said: “Is it police officers that engaged in political violence? No, it is not us. We are a panacea to political violence. Why is it that we were able to conduct the same election in Kogi with the same template and were highly applauded.
    “We did it the same thing in Bayelsa, it is just that there should be some sort of morality and integrity in politics. You don’t hold the police officers responsible for political violence  because we are the antidotes to those incidence. The violence does not have anything to do with police, we did what we were supposed to do, we dominated the scene.
    “To me, I have already issued commendation letters to those officers who participated in the election because there was nothing they were suppose to do that they didn’t do. If the politicians and INEC wants to postpone it and make it inconclusive, whenever they are ready, I will still deploy my men.”
  • IGP appoints new Deputy Force PRO

    IGP appoints new Deputy Force PRO

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase, has appointed Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Sogbeba West as the new Deputy Force Public Relations Officer.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The statement said that West, who holds a diploma in Security Strategies, hails from Rivers.

    It said that West served in Enugu Command as a Personal Assistant to the then Commissioner of Police of the Command.

    He had also headed the Special Anti-robbery Squad, Enugu, as well as worked in Taraba Command.

    The statement said that West also served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in Kosovo and East Timor.

    “His experience in policing has seen him through in Nasarawa, Rivers and Kogi Commands,“ it said.

    He replaces CSP Abayomi Shogunle who now heads the Crime Response Unit (CRU).