Re: IGP Idris, this is not how to treat a predecessor

The article by Eugene Enahoro, published on August 16, 2016, of the Daily Trust newspaper caught me by surprise for many reasons. I am not sure Dr Enahoro got his facts right. Secondly, how can he conclude that the present administration did not provide the Nigeria Police Force with sufficient budgetary allocation for their operational demands?

I also think that it is too early to accuse the current administration of delinquency as this is just a beginning of its journey.

President Buhari is aware of police stations’ which have been desolate for almost five years and his administration included their rehabilitation in the 2016 budget. On August 17th, 2015, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, while addressing a National Summit, President Buhari said, “while assuring that our administration will bequeath to this nation a reformed, re-oriented, well-equipped and highly motivated Police Force, this dream can only be attained with the support of the citizens”.

Subsequently, the president added, “the initiatives of the Inspector-General of Police to also introduce the ‘Safer Highway Motorised patrol’ scheme and deploy 555 patrol vehicles along all major highways to fill the void created by the enforcement of the order dismantling road blocks is also acknowledged as a proactive action meant to reassure citizens of their safety and security”.

He said efforts were being made to enhance the operational capacity of officers through a tailor-made training programme that would give them the right civil orientation in their roles as guardians of the constitution.

In order to further strengthen the security of the public space, consideration is being given to the expansion of the CCTV monitoring system across major cities and towns in the country, while the police accountability mechanism will be strengthened.

Eugene advised Idris to learn humility and respect for others, but for me, in the matter of corruption there should be no respect for anyone if we are really determined to eliminate it.

In the current anti-corruption war, all corrupt people must be dealt with.

Also, on October 17, 2015, the former Inspector-General of Police and Chairmen of Police Service Commission, Mr.Mike Okoro, at the commissioning of the renovated Ivbiotor Police Station in Benin City said: “rehabilitation of police barracks and stations across the country might precede the recruitment exercise of 10,000 officers”. This means that by the 2017, all police station and barracks across Nigeria will be rehabilitated.

Concerning the allegation of theft against the former IGP, it is not fair to fault the acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for seeking information about missing cars.

The IGP’s statement on the issue was not an accusation.

A week before Idris assumed office some cars were purchased by the federal government for the police. But on the day he assumed office, all the 24 cars were nowhere to be found.