Appointment of IG Doesn’t Require Your Approval, Police Tell Senate

Deji Elumoye

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), yesterday expressed reservation over moves by the Senate to subject the appointment and removal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) to confirmation of the upper legislative chamber.

This is coming just as the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, canvassed for the reduction in the jumbo salaries of Senators and other lawmakers for money to be raised for adequate funding of the police.

The Force represented by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, at a public hearing in Senate Committee Room 231, also kicked against move to reduce serving Deputy Inspectors General of Police ( DIGs) from seven to one as proposed in an amendment bill for enactment of the Police Act , 2018 sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South).

Idris, who presented police positions on the draft bill, which has 85 sections and other relevant stakeholders during a public hearing session organised by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs however aligned with proposal for five year tenure for Inspector General of Police ( IGP)

In his submission, the IGP said: “The proposed bill will help in reforming the Police and reposition it in its key role in administration of justice, “there are a few observations by the Police Force. The confirmation and removal of IGP by the Senate should be expunged from the bill.

“Appointment of the IGP as recommended by the Police Service Commission (PSC) and nominated by the President without Senate confirmation is desirable to Police to avoid politicisation of the whole process”.

On proposal for one DIG as against existing seven DIGs, Idris said it would be counterproductive as unbearable pressures administratively and operationally would be put on IG and the only DIG.

“Presently I have seven DIGs working with me at the Force headquarters. Reducing them to just only one DIG will be retrogressive considering the enormity of administrative and operational responsibilities attached to the office of the IG.”

On his part, the Chairman, PSC, Mr. Musiliu Smith, a retired IG, said the commission agreed totally with majority of the recommendations made in the bill, stressing that, if passed into law and effectively implemented, will improve the police service.

He, however, noted that the Police Affairs Committee could recommend adequate accommodation of officers and men of the Nigeria Police within police vicinity for efficient service delivery.

According to him, more policemen should be accommodated in barracks nationwide while more living quarters should be provided for officers.