TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kayode Egbetokun

  • UPDATED: Real reason I am opposed to State Police – IGP Egbetokun

    UPDATED: Real reason I am opposed to State Police – IGP Egbetokun

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has advised the Federal Government to merge the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) with the police for effectiveness.

    Egbetokun said this at the National Dialogue on State Policing, organised by the House of Representatives on Monday in Abuja with the theme “Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria”.

    The I-G, represented by the Assistant Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Mr Ben Okolo, said that the NSCDC and the FRSC were a duplication of the police.

    Egbetokun also said that Nigeria was not ripe enough for state police urging those calling for state police to work toward merging the NSCDC and the FRSC with the police for effectiveness.

    He said the police were battling with inadequate training as well as lack of adequate manpower.

    He said that most police barracks had dilapidated due to lack of maintenance and renovation.

    “This has had a negative impact on the performance of the policemen,” he said.

    Egbetokun also faulted calls for state police saying that Nigeria was not mature enough for state police.

    He added that state police would create avenues for state governor to use it to suppress the opposition in their states.

    He said creating state police would also lead to the problem of jurisdiction, which would bring about conflicts of interest.

    He added that the state police would not be able to combat terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry, because they required enormous resources to combat.

    He also said that there was a need to improve the training of personnel to enable modern policing, adding that funding was necessary to also help maintain internal security.

    The Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said that there was a need for a comprehensive and effective security framework to tackle rising security challenges in the country.

    Musa, represented by Maj. Gen. Kunle Ariyibi, said that the security and safety of the country was paramount.

    “It is imperative that we come together to find sustainable solutions.

    “It is through collaboration and a shared commitment to the common good that we can develop policies and strategies that will enhance the security infrastructure of our dear nation,” he said.

    Musa said it was imperative to create a security framework that would be inclusive, responsive, and capable of safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians.

  • BREAKING: IGP rejects moves for State Police, says Nigeria not matured enough

    BREAKING: IGP rejects moves for State Police, says Nigeria not matured enough

    Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun has said the country is not “matured” enough for State Police yet.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Egbetokun said this on Monday at a national dialogue on state police organised by the House of Representatives in Abuja.

    “It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria police force that Nigeria is yet to mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police,” Egbetokun said.

    IGP Egbetokun was represented by AIG Ben Okolo, who delivered the goodwill message of the police boss at the national dialogue.

    TNG reports the proposal for State Police is part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution by the 10th National Assembly (NASS).

    Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen had on January 30, 2024, at the first plenary of the House in the year, announced plans to convoke a national conference on security.

    Consequently, the House, on February 20, 2024, passed for second reading, a bill seeking to create police structures in each of the States of the federation.

    The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and 14 others had sponsored the bill seeking to alter the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to empower the States to establish their own policing outfits.

    Later on February 26, 2024, Speaker Abbas, at the inauguration of the House Special Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, noted that state policing was part of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House.

    The dialogue is holding with the theme: ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria.’

     

    Details shortly…

  • IGP reveals plans to double manpower strength of Police

    IGP reveals plans to double manpower strength of Police

    The Inspector General of Police (IG-P), Kayode Egbetokun, says his administration has planned to double the manpower strength of the Police Force in the country.

    Egbetokun disclosed this on Friday during a one-day visit to the Kwara Command in Ilorin.

    He acknowledged the shortage of manpower in the police force, saying that one police man is currently doing the job of two policemen.

    The IG-P however said the plan to increase the manpower would be gradual, saying that President Bola Tinubu recently approved yearly recruitment in the police force.

    “We are paying attention to training; very soon, a programme is underway to ensure policemen undergo training once in a year.

    “Welfare will be improved, apart from salary increment particularly improvement on pension scheme.

    “My plan for police pension scheme is to ensure that when you retire, you still get your salary,” he said.

    On equipment, Egbetokun assured that all logistics needed by the police to do their job effectively would be provided.

    He commended the operatives of the Kwara command for their sacrifices towards making the state peaceful.

    Egbetokun said: “I am aware of the exploits of tactical units of the Command, Divisional Police Officers, and the arrests, convictions and recovery of arms recorded in the state.”

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Victor Olaiya, requested for provision of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to enhance the operations of the command.

  • BREAKING: After overseeing humiliation of Gov Fubara, Rivers CP removed

    BREAKING: After overseeing humiliation of Gov Fubara, Rivers CP removed

    Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has removed Nwonyi Emeka as the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Rivers State and appointed CP Olatunji Disu in his stead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Emeka was removed as the CP for Rivers State Police Command after overseeing the humiliation of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

    The removal of Emeka and the appointment of Disu as the new Rivers CP is coming barely three days after youths in the State demanded his redeployment in a protest.

    This also follows reports of threats to Governor Fubara.

    Disu was the Principal Staff Officer of the IGP and immediate past head, Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force.

    I-G orders posting, redeployment of 14 AIGs, 26 CPs

    Similarly, Egbetokun has ordered the posting and redeployment of 14 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police  (AIGs) and 25 other Commissioners of Police (CPs).

    The Force Public Relations Officer,  ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Adejobi said the postings and redeployment were in line with the commitment of the Force to have a professionally competent, service driven, rule of law compliant and people friendly Police Force.

    He said it was also to reflect the new status of senior officers who were recently elevated to their next ranks.

    Adejobi said the newly posted and redeployed AIGs were Ogundele Ayodeji, Zone 7, Abuja, Patrick Edung, Zone 11 Osogbo, Badru Lawal, Border Patrol FHQ, Bartholomew Onyeka, Zone 8 Lokoja, Suleiman Yusuf, DOPS, FHQ and Idowu Owohunwa, FCID Annex Alagbon Lagos.

    Others are Rhoda Olofu, Maritime. Lagos,

    Godwin Aghaulor, Zone 13 Ukpo Dunukofia Awka, Effiom Ekot, ONSA Abuja, Anene Innocent, CTU FHQ Abuja, Odama Ojeka, Zone 16 Yenagoa, Ebong Eyibio, Zone 4 Makurdi, Adebowale Williams, Zone 17 Akure and Sahabo Yahaya, Investment FHQ Abuja.

    Adejobi said the 26 newly posted/redeployed CPs include George Chuku, Benue, Ahmed Tijani, Jigawa, Dan Shawulu, Niger, Usman Hayatu, Gombe, Danjuma Aboki, Imo, Disu Rilwan, Rivers, Joseph Eribo, Taraba, Isyaku Mohammed,  Osun, Mohammed Barde, Safer Highways, FHQ among others.

    He said the I-G had urged the newly posted/redeployed officers to work in tandem with the Force policy and support the agenda of government for economic recovery and growth, as well as socio-political development of the country.

    Adejobi said the I-G called on senior officers to entrench professionalism and diligent policing services to all officers and men under their command.

    He called on the officers to partner with relevant stakeholders to bring policing closer to the people, adding that the postings were with immediate effect.

  • IGP reads riot act on off-cycle governorship elections

    IGP reads riot act on off-cycle governorship elections

    Police will not tolerate electoral violence in Bayelsa as off-cycle governorship election holds in the state on  Saturday, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun warned in Yenagoa on Monday.

    He said during a courtesy visit to Gov. Douye Diri that the police and other security agencies were fully prepared and duty-bound to ensure free and fair polls.

    Egbetokun stressed that troublemakers would have the law to contend with.

    The I-G assured that the police and other security agencies would be neutral before, during and after the exercise and enjoined Bayelsa people to have confidence in them.

    He explained that the increased deployment of police personnel in the state was to forestall any form of violence during the polls.

    He thanked Gov. Diri for his support for the police in the state and assured him of adequate security before, during and after the election.

    “You are aware that the election is just four days away. I assure you that the police, with the assistance of other security agencies, will provide adequate security on November 11.

    “In Bayelsa and in Kogi and Imo elections will take place, I want to say with confidence that the police and other security agencies have taken a position to be neutral.

    “However, those with criminal intention to disrupt the election in Bayelsa will meet our men on ground. They will have the whole of us to contend with,’’ Egbetokun told the governor.

    Responding, the governor said the pledge of the I-G to provide adequate security for the election was an added advantage to the peace and security the state already enjoyed.

    On the call by the police boss on Diri to appeal to his party supporters to be non-violent, the governor said PDP members and supporters were the most peaceful in the build-up to the election.

    He said the government and people of Bayelsa were ready to support the police to achieve zero violence during the poll.

    Diri also noted that if a sitting president could lose and accept the outcome of an election without shedding blood, no one should toy with the lives of Bayelsa people because of election.

    He urged people of Bayelsa not to be deterred by the large deployment of security personnel in the state or to allow it to lead to voter apathy.

    He said the deployment should boost their confidence to cast their votes and be assured that their ballot would count and be protected.

    “Your remarks are heart-warming and I like to quote you when you said the police will be neutral in this election on Saturday.

    “I quote you again. You said the police and other security agencies are committed to a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election in Bayelsa. That is what our people want to hear.

    “If there is any governor who deserves award for being peaceful and promoting peace among his people, that award should go to me,’’ he said.

    The governor also told the police boss that his supporters in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the most peaceful set of people anywhere.

    “For us as a government, we are very ready to work with you very closely and provide support where needed.

    “This is to ensure that we do not lose any life or get anybody maimed because of election,’’ Diri told Egbetokun.

  • IGP orders redeployment of Imo CP

    IGP orders redeployment of Imo CP

    The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of Imo, Mr Mohammed Barde to the Force Headquarters.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi,  on Monday in Abuja.

    He said the redeployment of the CP ahead of the Nov. 11 governoship election in the state was in line with his commitment to ensure neutrality in the election.

    Adejobi said the decision to reshuffle the CP underscores the Police Force’s unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law throughout the electoral proceedings.

    “This redeployment is not an indictment on the affected officer but a broader strategy aimed at bolstering security measures, promoting transparency and upholding the integrity of the electoral security management.

    “The I-G is resolute in ensuring a secured environment for all stakeholders, political parties, candidates and citizens to participate in the electoral process,” he said.

    Adejobi called urged the electorate to cooperate with the police and other security agencies by adhering to the law to ensure a smooth and successful election.

  • Just in: Police Council confirms Egbetokun as substantive IGP

    Just in: Police Council confirms Egbetokun as substantive IGP

    Police Council, on Tuesday, confirmed Kayode Egbetokun as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls President Bola Tinubu had retired Usman Baba to pave the way for the appointment of Egbetokun as the acting IGP in June.

    The Police Council, which confirmed Egbetokun’s appointment was chaired by the President, and had the complements of the 36 governors, the Minister of the FCT, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase at the meeting in State House Abuja.

    Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, announced Egbetokun’s confirmation to state house correspondents after the meeting.

  • IGP Egbetokun sets up gun licensing, regulations committee

    IGP Egbetokun sets up gun licensing, regulations committee

    Olukayode Egbetokun, the acting Inspector-General of Police,  has announced the establishment of an ad hoc committee that will be responsible for the comprehensive review of firearms licensing and regulations by the Nigeria Police Force in line with the Firearms Act and other extant laws, in the interest of public safety and general security.

    The police high command, on Monday, revealed that the committee’s mandate would encompass a thorough assessment of current firearms licensing procedures and regulations, to enhance their effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.

    According to the Force Headquarters, the police will engage with relevant stakeholders, including legal experts, civil society organisations, and experts in the field, to ensure a holistic and well-informed review.

    This development was made known by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, via official correspondence on Monday.

    Adejobi said, “Similarly, in furtherance of his zeal to tackle all forms of insecurity in the country, the IG has issued a stern warning to all individuals involved in the wrongful possession of arms and light weapons, reiterating that illegal proliferation of firearms and light weapons poses a significant threat to the peace and stability of our nation.

    “In light of this, the Nigeria Police Force is resolutely determined to combat the illegal fabrication, sales, possession and use of arms emphasising that possessing firearms without the appropriate licenses and permits is not only a violation of the law but also a grave danger to society. He assured that the Nigeria Police Force will spare no effort in pursuing and prosecuting those engaged in these illegal activities to the full extent of the law.

    “The Inspector General of Police has charged all state Commissioners of Police and supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, and tactical squads to commence a total clampdown on the illegal fabrication, sale, possession, and use of prohibited firearms in the country.

  • Ag IGP warns against extortion by patrol police

    Ag IGP warns against extortion by patrol police

    The Acting Inspector General of police, Kayode Egbetokun has expressed displeasure at the unprofessional acts of some officers along major highways in the country.

    A statement by the force says the alleged incidences of extortion, intimidation, and harassment of commuters on the highways are being looked into, and the Force is resolute in addressing these issues decisively.

    The Acting IGP has also directed all supervising officers to undertake stringent supervision of their subordinates in the field with a view to eradicating unprofessional conducts

    The Monitoring Unit and Disciplinary Units are to identify, apprehend and punish officers who engage in acts tarnishing the image of the force .

  • We’ve taken steps to check insecurity on highways – IGP

    We’ve taken steps to check insecurity on highways – IGP

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, says the force has taken steps to check insecurity on  highways, particularly Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

    Egbetokun disclosed this during his first official to Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday where he inaugurated some projects, including Complainants Response Unit (CRU).

    “Since I came into office, we have taken steps to do a number of things to ensure crime is reduced to the barest minimum and security restored to troubled areas.

    ”On the Abuja-Kaduna Road you are talking about, we have taken necessary steps to rid it of criminal elements that were terrorising motorists.

    ”Very soon, you are going to be seeing results. We are embarking on  establishment of a Special Intervention Squad (SIS). We have started mobilisation to make success of it,” he said.

    Egbetokun said the SIS would soon become operational in the states that had been chosen as pilot areas.

    On police welfare, he said he had President Bola Tinubu’s assurance that efforts were  underway to improve the welfare of police officers and men.

    On when the police would have a vibrant forensic department to detect criminals, Egbetokun said:  “We are going to take these things one after the other.

    “Today, we have launched the CRU aimed at promoting transparency in the police.

    “We want to build confidence in the members of the public. We want to enhance police/ community collaboration, and the CRU is needed to achieve all of these.

    “At least, now, members of the public who have complaints against the police  have a place to lodge their complaints.”

    Egbetokun  assured Nigerians that the force would  make the CRU functional in all the states of the federation.

    “Lagos State has started. We just inaugurated that one today. We inspected the facilities and they are excellent.

    “Officers that would be deployed to man the CRU will be carefully selected – officers with impeccable integrity.

    “They will be well motivated, with opportunities for training overseas, if necessary,” he said.

    At the event,  Mr Femi Falana (SAN) warned the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force against torture and illegal detention of suspects.

    Falana said that under the Police Act, 2020, the officers and men would be held responsible and prosecuted for  illegal detention.

    Falana, however, assured the officers and men of free legal services should they have need of it.

    He promised to build CRU in four states.

    A former President of the Nigeria Bar Association and one of those that built the CRU in Lagos, Mr Olumide Akpata, promised to do same in Edo and Delta states.

    He expressed optimism that the unit would enhance better relationship between the police and the public.