The Acting Inspector General of Police, Ag IGP Solomon Arase, has directed the IGP Monitoring Unit, X-Squad and the Force Provost
Marshal to immediately embark on massive anti-corruption enforcement operations to checkmate corruption in the Force.
Arase gave the directive on Wednesday during his inaugural conference with Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIGs and Commissioners of Police, CPs where he also announced plans to deploy cutting-edge technology to prevent and fight crime in the country.
The police boss stated that the police would explore the possibility of securing access to existing databases including the National
Identity Card Management, NICM database, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC motor license to support police in the operations.
According to Arase, focus would be on crime scene management, establishment of state-of-the-art national forensic support centre;
in-car camera and in-car data base access to support patrol functions, establishment of National Criminal Database (Criminal Investigations Record System) and crime mapping.
“The Force would explore the use of lethal technologies/weapon system such as electro-muscular system disruption technology, (Taser or stun guns) by police on routine patrol functions to reduce incidents of fatalities associated with misapplication of lethal weapons by the police.
“The IGP Monitoring Unit, X-Squad, and Force Provost Marshall have been motivated and directed to immediately embark on massive
anti-corruption enforcement operations. Any police officer caught either through whistleblowing framework or direct operations of the
enforcement units will be appropriately dealt with,” he said.
The IGP also disclosed that the police would rejuvenate the Judges Protection Unit to provide maximum security for judges, justices and magistrates in order to give them the confidence to dispense criminal justice and reduce or withdraw police orderlies attached to civil commissioners and unauthorised individuals.
The police boss articulated his strategy against corruption in the police, which he said, was the cause of the inability of the Force to effectively tackle crimes in the most ethical and professional manner.
Arase promised to address the root causes of corruption and to pursue a robust anti-corruption enforcement strategy which he said would target and tackle issues relating to commercialization of bail process, nuisance of road blocks, abuse of police powers, particularly in relation to pre-trial detention.
According to him, the new police administration would push for enhanced welfare and logistics empowerment as a preventive measure
against petty corruption in the Force.
“In order to ensure that the maximum security needed to give our magistrates, judges and justices the confidence to dispense criminal
justice is attained, the Judges Protection Unit will be immediately reconstituted and specially equipped.
“Consequently, police security details attached to civil commissioners and other unauthorised individuals across the country will be reduced or withdrawn as the case may be. The manpower drawn from this exercise will be committed to rejuvenation of the Judges Protection Unit,” he said.
Arase stated that his human rights policy would address custodial violence including abuse of pre-trial detention, poor and inhabitable custodial facilities, violations of detainees’ rights, forced confessions, misuse of firearms and other official police action that amount to degradation of human dignity and deprivation of liberty and right to life.
