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Tag: IGP

  • Withdrawal: Disobey my order, get sanctioned, IGP warns unit commanders

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has warned all police Unit Commanders against flouting the order to withdraw personnel from VIPs as well as political and public office holders in the country.

    The IGP gave the warning at a meeting with the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Commanders on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Recall Idris that had on Monday ordered the withdrawal of the personnel from the group of persons which also included business entrepreneurs and those in multinational companies.

    The police boss said that any commander that violates the order would be heavily sanctioned.

    “Sanction awaits any officer who violates the order to withdraw personnel from the above mentioned persons.

    “We want to ensure absolute withdrawal of personnel this time around, any violation will be met with stiffer sanction,” he said.

    He said that CTU personnel were not meant to be deployed to any individual or organisations because of their critical role in the force.

    Idris, who gave Tuesday as deadline for the withdrawal, said that the primary responsibility of the Nigeria Police was to provide security to all citizens.

    “We must face and surmount the security challenges confronting us by all means, “he said.

    The police boss described the frequent attacks on police personnel in the course of their duty in the country as alarming.

    He, however, blamed some of the incidents on police personnel who were not at alert while on duty.

    Idris said that PMF personnel would be deployed to all schools in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa in order to prevent a recurrence of the recent ugly incident at the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe.

    He described the incident as a national embarrassment which must not be allowed to happen again.

    “I will be going on tour of the three states to ascertain the level of compliance so far, “he said.

  • Killings: I’m shocked IG spent less than 24hrs in Benue after directing him to relocate – Buhari

    Killings: I’m shocked IG spent less than 24hrs in Benue after directing him to relocate – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday expressed shock that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris spent less than twenty-four hours (24hrs) in troubled Benue after initially directing him to relocate to the state and remain until peace was restored.

    The president also said that government was deeply worried about the incessant attacks on Benue’s rural communities, and vowed to end the menace “very soon”.

    Buhari, who met with farmers, herdsmen, government officials and other stakeholders in Makurdi, denied insinuations that he was not interested in what was happening to the north-central state.

    The president said he was surprised at the revelation that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, did not spend 24 hours in Benue, when he directed him to relocate to the state and remain there till peace was restored.

    “I am getting to know this in this meeting. I am quite surprised,” he said.

    He, however, said that the meeting was not the best place to expose the inefficiency of his appointees, and appealed to Benue people to exercise restraint and live in peace with their neighbours.

    Buhari appealed to the people to pay more attention to farming, especially rice cultivation, saying that rice importation had dropped by 90 per cent since some states embarked on massive production of the commodity.

    Speaking earlier, Gov Samuel Ortom appealed to the President to upgrade the ongoing military exercise in the state tagged “Ayem Akpatema”, to a wider operation to effectively curb herdsmen attacks.

    “If the exercise is upgraded to a wider operation, it will assist greatly in ending the incessant attacks and senseless killings by herdsmen,” he said

    He urged Benue people to learn to live in peace with other people.

    Ortom said that many states were currently involved in massive cultivation of rice, and urged his people to join the trend.

    The governor reiterated his call for the arrest of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, alleging that the body was responsible for the killings in Benue.

    Ortom maintained that ranching was the best option for cattle breeding in Nigeria, and advised herdsmen to embrace it so as to minimise the clashes caused by open grazing.

    He also called on the federal government to take over the management of the Benue University Teaching Hospital, College of Education, Katsina-Ala and Benue Polytechnic, Ugbokolo.

    Malam Shetima Mohammed, a representative of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue Chapter, however, denied responsibility for the Benue attacks.

    “Our association is a peace loving one and the exact opposite of what is being portrayed,” he declared.

  • JUST IN: Dambazau directs IGP, NSCDC boss to relocate to North East

    The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; and the Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Muhammadu, to relocate to the North East.

    The Presidency disclosed this on Wednesday in a series of messages posted on its Twitter handle, @NGRPresident.

    According to the message, the two security chiefs were asked to liaise with the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole as well as governors of the affected states to ensure deployment of personnel to all schools in liberated areas in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States.

    “The Min of Interior has directed the IG of Police and the Commandant General of NSCDC to relocate to the northeast and liaise with the theatre commander of #OpLafiyaDole and Govs of Yobe, Borno & Adamawa to ensure deployment of personnel to all schools in liberated areas in the states,” one of the messages read.

    “The minister said that the directive has become necessary to forestall a re-occurrence of the attack on innocent school children,” another message read.

  • Killings: IGP cautions on anti-grazing laws, to mop up illegal arms

    The Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris on Wednesday advised state governors to prioritise the establishment of cattle ranches before enacting anti-grazing laws, to avert conflict between farmers and herdsmen.

    The IGP gave the advice at the Northern States Stakeholders Security Summit, with the theme, `National Building: Security Challenges and the Need for Inclusive Approach’, held in Kaduna.

    “It ¡s my humble suggestion that to reduce the incidence of clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria, State Governments should endeavour to establish grazing ranches in their various states before enacting laws to prohibit open rearing and grazing.

    “It ¡s when grazing ranches are established that herders can be arrested and punished for rearing and grazing on the open places.

    “Doing so, I am of the opinion that it will make the law acceptable by all the parties concerned and other critical stakeholders in that all important sector.

    “It will do us good if we avoid the hasty formulation and implementation of such laws across the country in the interest of peace and unity.’’

    According to the IGP, the crisis in Benue would have been mitigated, if the state had first established grazing ranches before prohibiting open grazing.

    Idris disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari had mandated the police to adopt “strategies effective enough to end the recurring Herders/Farmers clashes ¡n Nigeria.’’

    “It must, however, be noted that Framers/Herders clashes did not start with this administration, yet this administration has taken more measures to end the crisis than any previous regime.”

    He added that the Police have made some arrest in Benue and other places, and warned that there would be no sacred cows, as anyone who violates the law would be arrested and prosecuted.

    The IGP also spoke on the problem of banditry in Zamfara, saying that the present administration was taking steps to avert future occurrence.

    “Some arrests have already been made and the outcome of investigation will be made known soonest.’’

    He gave details of efforts to tackle kidnapping in the country, saying that the police had from December, arrested over 200 kidnappers, armed robbery and cattle rustling suspects in various parts of the country.

    “Over 50 AK 47 Rifles, 20 English made pistols, two 5MG Rifles, over 1000 rounds of AK 47 Rifles and other assorted pistols ammunition were recovered from them.

    “These recoveries raise serious alarm on the number of illegal arms and ammunition at the disposal of criminals and bandits.

    “This must not be allowed to continue especially as the 2019 general election is fast approaching.’’

    According to the IGP, all police chiefs in the 36 states and FCT have been directed to mop up of illegally acquired arms and ammunition within 21 days.

    He decried the arming of security outfits formed by some state governments, warning that at the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum, any person found with prohibited firearms will be arrested and prosecuted.

    On the 2019 general elections, Idris appealed to politicians to desist from acts capable of truncating the elections.

    “Election context must not be a do or die affair. It must be approached with the spirit of sportsmanship.

    “Politicians should as a matter of urgent national importance begin to educate their supporters on the need for violent free elections.’’

    He called for the support of well meaning Nigerians for security agencies to make the country safer for all.

    “Let me state unequivocally that the security architecture and infrastructure of any Nation is not strong without the people.

    “The people are the main reason why the architecture ¡s reliable and dependable. You are the building block, without you it will not stand. I urge you to stand strong with the Police in the fight against criminality.’’

    He pledged that the police would continue to discharge its duties efficiently, effectively and in a manner that would earn it the trust and respect of all well meaning Nigerians.

  • Killings: IGP orders deployment of three additional mobile units to Zamfara

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has said that three additional mobile police units would be deployed to Zamfara to beef up security.


    Idris made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Gusau after a condolence visit over Thursday’s attack in Birane village, Zurmi Local Government area in which over 40 people died.


    The IGP also said the police had set up a committee to investigate the incident and suggest measures to end such attacks.


    Idris added that the Federal Government has approved the recruitment of 6,000 policemen in 2018, to further strengthen security in the country


    “We believe the recruitment would assist in the government efforts to address security challenges facing the country.
    “We are here to commiserate with Zamfara State Government, Zurmi Emirate Council over this incident.


    “We received complaints of shortage of personnel from the stakeholders; we are going to deploy additional three units of police mobile to the state to strengthen the state police command in tackling security challenges.


    “We are going to set up a committee to investigate the incident aimed at avoiding the re-occurrence of the menace in the future; the committee is coming to this state next Monday Insha Allah.’’


    He commended the state government for its support to the police and urged stakeholders to assist all security agencies with relevant information to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the state.


    The IGP was received by the state Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala at Government House, Gusau.


    He had earlier paid similar visit to Emir of Zurmi to commiserate with the families and relatives of the deceased.

  • Herdsmen crisis: Nothing negative must happen to Ortom, group tells IGP

    Sequel to the recent killings by some Fulani herdsmen in Benue State and the subsequent face-off between Governor Samuel Ortom and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, an Abuja-based civil society organisation, the Sanctity Transparency Peace Initiative, has warned IG that nothing negative must happen to the governor.

    The group also called on the police boss to come clean on the alleged complicity of the police and it’s alleged negligence which it said had worsened the herdsmen crisis across the country.

    In a communiqué issued after its emergency meeting in Abuja on Friday, the group condemned what it described as the deteriorating security situation in Benue and other parts of the country, saying the killings had continued unabated.

    In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Sunday Alakho, the group said that the IGP’s initial description of the mass murder of innocent villagers by herdsmen as a mere communal clash was “callous and insensitive, and targeted at people crying out for justice.”

    He also expressed the group’s deep concern over remarks credited to the IGP that the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law was responsible for the killings, saying he wondered if the same law was responsible for the herdsmen mayhem in Plateau and other states, where such laws do not exist.

    He maintained that the complicity of the police was confirmed when the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood referred to the governor as a “drowning man.”

    Alakho demanded a full public explanation from the police authorities on what it meant by branding a governor as a “drowning man,” saying such could be interpreted to mean the safety of the governor was being endangered.

    He, therefore, demanded a public pronouncement by the police guaranteeing the safety of Governor Ortom, adding that the IGP should resign if he could not ensure the safety of lives and property in the troubled region.

     

  • Reps passes vote of no confidence on IGP, demands immediate dismissal

    Reps passes vote of no confidence on IGP, demands immediate dismissal

    The House of Representatives has passed a vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and called for the dismissal of the police chief.

    The vote of no confidence on the IG followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Abubakar Dambaram (APC, Kano).
    The motion is entitled, ‘need to curb thuggery development in political activities in Kano and Nigeria in general.’

    Similarly the lawmakers ordered the IGP to apologize to Governor Samuel Ortom over a derogatory comment by the Force spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood.

    The lower legislative chambers gave the directive while currently debating a motion on the bills by herdsmen in Benue State.

    Recall that the featuring on Channels television, Moshood had yesterday described Ortom as a “drowning man.”

    Force spokesperson made the remark while faulting some comments made by the governor, following crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

    Details soon…

  • IGP orders arrest of IBB spokesman, Afegbua over controversial statement

    The Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris has ordered the arrest of the spokesman of former Military President Ibrahim Babangida should he fail to turn himself up within 24 hours.

    Afegua is wanted for ” issuing a fake statement.”

    Recall that Afegbua had on Sunday released a statement quoting the former military ruler as saying President Muhammadu Buhari should not seek reelection.

    But the former president denied it and issued another one which he personally signed.

    However, Afegbua insisted on the one he issued as the authentic.

    A government source, who does not want his name in print, confirmed that the IGP had ordered Afegbua’s arrest within24 hours.

     

  • Court grants leave to IGP to appeal ruling on fundamental right suit

    An FCT High Court sitting in Jabi on Thursday granted leave to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to appeal a ruling on his enforcement of human right given by it.

    Justice Abba-Bello Muhammad of the court had on Jan. 22, differed his decision to give judgment in the right suit filed by the IGP against the senate and some of its members.

    This action was against the ruling of the court on Dec. 4, that fixed Jan. 22, to deliver judgment on the suit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IGP had filed an enforcement of human right against the Senate, President Bukola Sarahi, Senators Isah Misau and Francis Alimikhena since November 2017.

    The rest were senators Binta Garba, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Duro Samuel, Ogba Obinna, Nelson Effiong and Abdulaziz Nyako.

    The fourth to the 10th respondents were members of the ad hoc committee that sat on the complaint of financial misappropriation in the police made by the third respondent -Misau.

    Justice Muhammad had on Jan. 22, differed judgment following an application by the respondent Counsel, Mr Abdul Mohammed against the proceeding.

    He had urged the court at the last adjourned date not to deliver judgment in the interest of justice and that it should give the respondents a fair hearing by allowing it to say its part in the suit.

    At the resumed hearing, Mohammed informed the court that the respondents had filed comprehensive processes to defend the matter.

    “We rely on all the submission contained there-in in our affidavit and written addresses, as the answers for the application of the applicant request for his fundamental right.

    “Our humble submission is that our application is an attempt to water down all the exhibits tendered by the applicant.

    “Our further and better affidavit seems to bring in certified true copy by the value of exhibit C1, C2, H1, J1 and K1 tendered by the applicant, they are all attempts to overreach the respondent,’’ he said.

    According to Mohammed, some of the documents tendered in the matter by the applicant are not certified by the appropriate body saddled with the responsibility of certification.

    He added that the applicant failed woefully by not doing the proper thing in some of the documents he tendered before the court and called on the court to do justice to the matter.

    The applicant counsel, Mr Alex Izinyon (SAN) said most of the arguments by the respondents counsel were not the true position of the law.

    Izinyon told the court that the applicant had filed a better affidavit to justify the applicant position which brought about the suit and asked the court to look at it and do justice to the matter.

    Meanwhile, Justice Muhammad had again adjourned the matter for judgment until April 10. (NAN)

  • Benue killings: Senate gives IGP 14-day ultimatum

    The Senate has given the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr Ibrahim Idris 14 days ultimatum to arrest and investigate the perpetrators of Benue killings.

    This position was sequel to the consideration of a report of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the Current Security Infrastructure in Nigeria.

    The committee had on Friday last week, visited Benue to ascertain the level of killings in the state.

    The report was presented by Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Ahmed Lawan during plenary on Tuesday.

    He said the recommendations of the committee included re-examining, revamping and reinventing the nation’s security architecture and infrastructure in order to ensure that no community or entity was left unsecured and unsafe.

    Lawan who is also the Senate Leader said other recommendations are for the Senate to convene as a matter of utmost urgency a national security summit.

    He said the committee recommended that government should examine the recurring violence and mayhem visited rural communities before they become an existential threat to national cohesion and national survival.

    “The Federal Government should examine the deployment of security personnel in our rural communities and borders to ensure that no one gets in or out of the country without proper documentation and regular surveillance.

    “The Federal Government should ensure full compliance with the letter and spirit of the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons, cattle and goods with a view to ensuring that it is administered strictly to preserve the interests, safety and security of Nigeria and its people.

    “The Federal Government should immediately re-examine the current deployment of security forces, particularly the Police, DSS and Civil Defence Corp, etc. in order to strengthen their presence in the rural areas,” he said.

    He said government should beef up and re-strategise its deployment of security intelligence capabilities with a view to obtaining actionable intelligence about impending attacks and plots in order to forestall and prevent the recurrence of rural violence and inter-ethnic conflagrations.

    “The Federal and Benue State Government should ensure that all those living in IDP camps are properly catered for and the burnt infrastructure in their communities are properly rebuilt to enable the people return and resume their normal lives.

    “The government through the Ministry of Agriculture should as a matter of urgency convene a special National Council on Agriculture meeting to deliberate on the development and modernization of Nigeria’s livestock and dairy industry.”

    In an additional prayer Sen. Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT) said the President of the Senate should meet with President Muhammadu Buhari with the recommendations for immediate implementation to douse the tension in the country.

    The prayer was supported by Sen. Kabiru Gaya (APC-Kano)

    In his contribution, the Deputy President of the Senate,Mr Ike Ekweremadu said “the killings that is going on in Nigeria are assuming an alarming proportion and very disturbing.”

    He said as a responsible parliament, the senate must rise to the situation by saying “enough is enough”.

    “I don’t expect us to sit down here and not do anything. Nigerians expect us not only to say something but do something.

    “I believe that the recommendations of the Senate Leader would be of great help in addressing these problems.

    “Nigerians are not only worried but the international community are also worried.”

    He, however, stressed the need for social contract which hinged on security and welfare of the citizenry.

    Similarly, Sen. David Mark (PDP-Benue South) said this was a national issue.

    “There are immediate solutions and long term solutions to the problem. Creation of cattle colonies, devolution of power and state police those are long term solutions because we cannot do that first thing tomorrow.

    “Presently, there is no intelligence transmission between the herders, villages and the government or if there is, government is not proactive, government is not acting on intelligence.

    “Nigeria is not the country with the largest cattle in the world. There are modern ways of doing things and we must grow with time. We cannot be operating on archaic system.”

    On his part, Sen. Shehu Sani(APC-Kaduna) said cautioned against viewing the crisis from religious and ethnic perspective adding “if you are faced with a crisis and you use ethnic or religious lenses to view at it, you will see a religious, ethnic or sectional image.

    “This is not the time for diplomacy and courtesy. This is the time to provide leadership for a nation that is in national emergency and national distress,” Sani said.

    He said there must be a clear distinction between armed herdsmen who must be confronted frontally and Fulani cattle rearers.

    Also speaking, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP-Abia) attributed the killings to lack of jobs in the country.

    He urged the Federal Government to pass the Peace Corps bill into law for intelligence gathering at the grassroots.

    In his remarks, President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki noted that the Senate’s debate on the clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Benue and other states had shown that it was not religious-based.

    “It was a breakdown of law and order in that part of the country.

    “I commend my Distinguished Colleagues for their sincerity and patriotism during this debate. This killing is also a wake up call for all of us to put all hands on deck to address this crisis.

    “We want to see immediate action. One point raised here today is the issue of justice. Without justice we cannot see unity and that justice stands as one of our recommendations.

    “In the next 14 days, the Inspector General of Police must find the perpetrators, arrest them, and the Attorney General of Benue State must prosecute them. That is the minimum requirement and it must happen,” he said.

    “Our resolution is that some of our discussions here need to be conveyed to Mr. President. We appreciate his actions for calling us and giving us a brief on what has happened. Hence, we owe it to him to tell him what we have discussed and the seriousness with which we have taken the issue.

    “It is a wake up call for him and it is a wake up call for us. It is a wake–up call for this government. We must address the issue of security. We cannot continue to allow this violence to keep going on from one state to another. Therefore, something needs to be done,” Saraki said.