The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has expressed concern over what he described as the increasing cases of crime and criminality in most communities in Nigeria, and vowed to tackle it headlong,
He said his administration would, in the next few days, reorganise and restructure the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in all the states’ commands across the country.
Idris stated this when taking over the mantle of leadership as the 19th Inspector General of Police, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
He took over from Solomon Arase, who retired from active service, following the attainment of the retirement age of 60 years.
Idris further noted that his management team would establish criminal data base in all police divisions across the country.
He further noted that: “Effective criminal database in police divisions will enhance police capacity for effective investigation of criminal cases in Nigeria. This administration will establish database in all police formations.”
The acting IGP added noted that he would establish Joint Operation Centres’ in police commands across the country.
He said coordination with other security agencies was very critical at this period of security challenges in the country and, therefore, shall be established in every police command headquarters a joint operation centre for effective coordination and synergy with other security agencies to adequately respond to major crisis 24/7.
This, he noted, would bring our daily operations closer and will build more trust and confidence amongst us.
Also, in order to enhance the investigative capacity of the Nigeria Police, Idris disclosed that his management team would establish forensic laboratories in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing IGP, Solomon Arase, noted that the journey might have been tortuous, “but looking back, we should all be proud today, through an incusive leadership strategy which I adopted, the Nigeria Police has acquired very strong intelligence, investigative and operational capability which can and have of late been deployed to crack any crime at any location within our national geographical space.
He added that the dignity of an average Nigeria Police officer has been restored.
He further stated that: “like other Police Forces across the world, we in the Nigeria Police can beat our chests and make clear and bold statement to criminal elements threatening our national value that if you commit any crime, we now have the capacity not only to arrest you, but to bring you to deserved Justice in the most prompt, professional and rule of law-compliant manner.”
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