Nigeria not ripe for state police, says IGP Egbetokun

The Nigeria Police Force has opposed the establishment of state police, saying the country was not ripe for such.  Speaking at a one day dialogue on state policing, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun said the establishment of state police will execerbate ethnic tension, leading to divided loyalty in the states.  Represented by AIG Ben Okolo, the Inspector General of Police said the establishment of state police will also lead to multiple command structures in the states.  He also said that state governors are likely to abuse the privilege of state police by using it for political gains, leading to possible abuse of power and abuse of huma rights.  He argued that the state government lack thereof required funding that will give birth to the type of policing that the nation requires.  Rather than estabalisibg state police, he recommend the merging of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission to form a department in the Nigeria Police Force.  He also said there is the need for a yearly recruitment of about 30,000 police personnel into the force annually to meet the UN requirements for morden policing, while also increasing annual budgetary allocation to the force. 

IGP withdraws policemen attached to former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello

Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The directive, contained in a police wireless message, comes amidst the embattled former governor’s legal troubles and being placed on the Nigerian Immigration Service watchlist. The order relayed through a police wireless message, emphasized strict compliance with the withdrawal of security personnel assigned to Bello.  The document read in part, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. “Acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please, above, for your information and strict compliance.” The decision follows the Economic and Financial Crimes Comission’s declaration of Bello as wanted in connection to a money laundering case totalling N80.2 billion. In addition to the police withdrawal, the Nigerian Immigration Service placed Bello on its watchlist, directing border officials to arrest and refer him to the Director of Investigation if sighted at any entry or exit point.  The EFCC had earlier declared Bello wanted and was granted a warrant of arrest by a Federal High Court in Abuja. Efforts by the EFCC to apprehend Bello were foiled by the current Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, and his security team escorting Bello away from his residence.

Sectorial Debate: Reps Reject Service Chiefs, IGP’s Representatives

*Insist On Personal Appearance   The House of Representatives has moved the Sectoral debate scheduled for Thursday (today) due to the absence of the Service Chiefs who were expected to attend in person. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, were invited to the session as part of the House’s Sectorial Debates, as per Order 17, Rules 1(3) of the Standing Orders. However, the Service Chiefs and the IGP failed to attend and instead sent representatives, who were denied participation by the House, insisting on the Chiefs’ personal presence. Despite the attempt by the representatives to introduce themselves, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu emphasized the importance of the Chiefs attending in person, stating, “Chief Executives, be it private sector or public sector, they must come in person. I want to pray that we don’t break this sacred tradition of our House lest we be taken for granted.” Following this, a motion to suspend the sectoral engagement until the leaders’ direct appearance was proposed by the Deputy Speaker and seconded by another member, which was ultimately adopted by the House. Speaker Abbas Tajuddeen conveyed the House’s stance, emphasizing the necessity for the Chiefs to be present, extending the engagement to the following Tuesday to accommodate their attendance. The House expressed appreciation for the representatives’ presence but maintained the firm requirement for the Service Chiefs’ personal appearance in the forthcoming session.