The IGP, who was drilled for two and a half hours on the security situation in the country, told the lawmakers at a closed door session that the major problems confronting the Police Force were shortage of funds, men and material required to carry out the job.
According to him, if these are available, insecurity would be nipped in the bud.
The IGP entered the hallowed Chamber at 11.25am, and soon after, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, called on the Clerk of the Senate, Nelson Ayewor, to clear the gallery for the closed door session with the senators on the security situation in the country. The meeting was designed to enable the Acting IGP brief the Senate on how to nip in the bud, the raging state of insecurity in virtually all parts of the country.
The senators also wanted to know what was responsible for the inability of security agencies, especially the police to end the menace. Worried by the level of banditry and increasing cases of kidnapping across the country, the Senate had last week summoned the acting IGP to appear before it at plenary yesterday. The Senate took the decision when it condemned in very strong terms, the gruesome killing of a 29-year-old Briton, Faye Mooney and another Nigerian and the abduction of three others on Friday, April 19, 2019. Resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion entitled, “Senseless killing of a Briton and the abduction of three others in a Holiday Resort in Kaduna State by Armed Bandits” sponsored by Senator Shehu Sani, PRP, Kaduna Central. The motion was co- sponsored by Senator Joshua Dariye who is presently in Prison and 108 Senators.
We’re reviewing our strategies – IGP
Speaking with Journalists after the meeting, the IGP, assured that the Police was reviewing its strategies to mitigate the security challenges in the country. According to him, the Senate agreed to support the police in all areas to do its job, adding that “policing is dynamic as ultimatum cannot be given on tackling of any crime.” The IGP said: “We discussed the issue of insecurity within the country and we have expanded a lot of strategies that we put in place that are working. And we have reviewed the strategies in order to mitigate some of the challenges that emerged.
Again, they have appreciated what we presented and also gave suggestions on how to enhance the strategies that we are deploying. “They have agreed to support us in every aspect, every area that we need in order to do our job to make the country safe. Policing is dynamic and you cannot give ultimatum to deal with a crime.
“The number of personnel we have can never be enough and the government is doing its best and every year, we are recruiting more policemen. This year we have about 10,000 again to recruit. At least, the number is growing. Very soon we will meet up with the required number that is needed for us to deploy to fight crime very effectively.” Panel will investigate rape of sex workers by policemen On the alleged rape of some arrested sex workers by policemen, the acting IGP said the force would set up a panel to investigate and anybody caught and proven to have done anything to do with that, would face the full wrath of the law.
We’ll assist police – Saraki
Speaking at the plenary after the closed door session, Senate President Saraki said that they deliberated on banditry, robbery, terrorists’ activities and other security challenges in the country. Saraki appreciated the Police efforts at ameliorating the situation and challenges of insecurity, disclosing that the IGP promised to address areas that have to do with discipline of officers that have been found wanting.
According to him, Adamu assured that efforts would be made on the problem of insecurity, especially with regard to the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and also on the area of intelligence. The Senate assured of its commitment towards addressing the issues of insecurity, adding that as lawmakers, they were prepared to give adequate funding required to make the Police combat insecurity.
Before the Acting IGP’s encounter with the Senate, Senator Babajide Omoworare (APC Osun East), had through order 43 of the Senate rules, commended the Police for rescuing the abducted OAU Professor. He said he brought the good news to the Senate as a strong indication that the Police and other security agencies are rising up to the challenge.
