Day IGP ‘entered’ Kano police cell
From Nazifi Dawud Khalid, Kano
On December 3, 2016, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim K. Idris came to Kano on his first visit since his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the country’s Police Force.
Idris was on a 2-day working visit where he launched Buhari’s ‘Change Begins With Me’ campaign, commissioned a new anti-kidnapping unit, launched a “rebranded public complaint rapid response unit” and received donation of 25 patrol vehicles from the Kano state government.
However, the most attentiongrabbing moment came when Idris entered one of the cell rooms of the Bompai Police Division, not to interrogate any high profile criminal suspects, but to appreciate renovation works made on the cells and other structures in the station, which distinguished it from the 71 other police divisions in the state.
Our correspondent, who visited the Bompai Police Division, reports that its cell rooms were furnished with clean mats, mattresses, bed sheets, and a decent toilet cubicle, unlike cells in other stations which are usually characterized by powerful stench of urine and solid waste of suspects, who also sleep on bare floor.
It was learnt that the IGP also inspected the charge room, a new mosque, newly built and painted fences, the DPO’s office and guard posts, which were equipped with a couple of Close-CircuitTelevision-Cameras (CCTV).
In his remarks the IGP said he was impressed with the efforts of the stations Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Daniel I. Amah, who he said was trying to restore respect and professionalism to police officers and the force.
“We are trying to change the attitude of the police. This officer helps us to change the attitude of police and (is) also helping us in bringing respect to policing and respect to us. Bompai police station is very organized and properly incorporated with the proper inscription of the change mantra,” he said. “The DPO should be praised and encouraged to do better on this laudable initiative,” he added.
It was learnt that before the current renovation works were made on the Bompai station, it used to be one of the many other stations overwhelmed by rot and dilapidation despite its stone’s throw proximity to the Kano State Police Command Headquarters.
A source told our correspondent that the rear part of the station’s complex used to be ‘dangerously porous’ and dark, making it difficult for the police personnel serving at the station to effectively provide security in the area at night.
In 2004, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Daniel I. Amah was posted to the Bompai Divisional Police Headquarters in Kano city, after being trained as a Cadet Inspector (Course 36) at the Police Academy in Wudil local government area of Kano state.
It was learnt that Amah, a native of Plateau state, was subsequently assigned as the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of the Bompai station before he was appointed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) by retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Musa Daura, in 2013.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Magaji Musa Majia said Amah was recognized by Daura because of his “passion for the job” and his ability to inspire positive attitude among his contemporaries and subordinates.
He added that Amah, a 35-year-old graduate of Sociology from Bayero University, Kano (BUK) who also has a Master’s degree in Crime Prevention, Management and Control from the same institution, believes that “physical transformation of police structures is a key component in restoring public confidence in the police”.
“If public members see police officers working in a decent and neat environment, dressing smartly and doing their job professionally, they would feel confident to approach officers and help them with any information they need. This is what Daniel (Amah) wants to achieve,” Majia said.
Also, a police source close to the DPO, told our reporter that Amah executed most of the projects at the station with his personal funds, complemented by little donations from some of the philanthropists in the Bompai area.
Meanwhile in his address IGP Idris described Kano state as a cosmopolitan society with attendant security challenges, saying there must be collaboration between the public, religious and traditional leaders to defeat the challenges.
“Kano State being the Commercial nerve centre of the nation is beehive of activities and as a cosmopolitan state, with its attendant security challenges; it requires all hands to be on deck in our collective resolve to a peaceful society,” he said.
Idris said the donation of 25 patrol vehicles by the state government would complement the efforts of the police in the state to fight crime especially during the upcoming festive season.
“As we approach the yuletide seasons, the donation of this fleet of patrol vehicles will go a long way in improving the operational capacity of the police and ensure a safe peaceful yuletide season within the state and across the federation. We will not rest until we guarantee a safe and secure environment where citizens can walk the streets without being harassed and go to bed with their two eyes closed,” he said.
On his part, the DeputyGovernor of the state Professor Hafiz Abubakar thanked the police chief for the efforts of the force in restoring peace to the state.
“We are happy with the Police here in Kano, they have been very wonderful especially in the fight against cattle rustling, kidnapping and other crimes in the state, he said, adding that the government would continue to support the police in routing criminals in the state. Our correspondent, who visited the Bompai Police Division, reports that its cell rooms were furnished with clean mats, mattresses, bed sheets, and a decent toilet cubicle, unlike cells in other stations which are usually characterized by powerful stench of urine and solid waste of suspects, who also sleep on bare floor