PROVIDING SOLUTIONS...
The dust raised by the unauthorised search of the Abuja residence of Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark is yet to abate as the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate disbandment of the IGP Special Tactical Squad (IGP-STS).
This is as Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday appealed to Niger Delta leaders to accept the apology tendered by police authorities over the invasion of Chief Clark’s residence.
Armed policemen had on Tuesday, invaded the Asokoro home of Chief Clark over allegation of stockpiling arms in his house.
However, the police authority in a swift response denied knowledge of the raid as well as denied authorising it.
The force in addition had on Thursday through a press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Acting DCP Jimoh Moshood announced the dismissal of Inspectors Godwin Musa, Sada Abubakar and Yabo Paul. The police in the statement added that, the said leader of the raid ASP David Dominic was under investigation and may also be dismissed if found culpable.
The IGP also sent a high powered delegation to apologise to Chief Clark over the unfortunate and embarrassing incident.
Though the Elder Statesman said he accepted the public apology of the police, nonetheless he wants the matter to be thoroughly investigated and the real mastermind of the raid exposed.
Chief Clark in a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Security Adviser, alleged that the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Kolo, Commander of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Special Tactical Squad and Assistant Inspector General of Police (Federal Intelligence), Umoru Usman were those who ordered the raid and search on his residence.
In the petitions with reference No KACCL/PET/KA/76/18 and dated September 6, 2018 signed by his Lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, Clark wondered why the police authorities who were in the know of the masterminds and conspirators of the invasion were going after the four junior officers who were merely carrying out instructions from their superiors.
However, a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, on Acting DSP Jimoh Moshood, on Friday announced the disbandment of the special unit with immediate effect adding that senior officers indicted in the raid would be dealt with accordingly.
The statement further noted that while the personnel in the L-R: Senior Technical Expert, sub-Saharan Africa, SWIFT, Billy Nya; Regional Country Manager, West Africa, SWIFT, Solomon Osuoza; Executive Secretary/CEO, Association of Corporate Treasurers of Nigeria (ACTN), Patrick Ajunwoko; CEO, Graeme Blaque Advisory Services & Member ACTN Governing Council, Zeal Akaraiwe and General Manager, Venture Garden Group, Eghosa Nehikhare, at a breakfast meeting of ACTN held in Lagos… recently
STS would be redeployed to other departments in the force, their responsibility would be collapsed and be carried out by other operational, investigative and response units of the Force.
The statement read, “Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni has ordered the
immediate disbandment of the IGP Special Tactical Squad (IGP-STS) and the redeployment of all the personnel of the squad to other departments/formations of the Force.
“Senior Officers attached to the erstwhile Special Tactical Squad (STS) who were linked with
complicity or played conspiracy role(s) in the unauthorised, illegal and unprofessional misconduct in the search of Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark’s residence in Asokoro, Abuja on the 4th of September, 2018 are now undergoing strict disciplinary procedures.
“The tactical operations and
statutory core Police duties that the dissolved Special Tactical Squad (STS) were charged with are now collapsed and will be carried out by other operational, investigative and response units of the Force.
“This dissolution of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) is with immediate effect.”