Insecurity: Shortage of personnel hampering our operations ― IGP

The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu on Tuesday declared that shortage of personnel is one of the challenges facing the operations of the Police in the country.

The Acting IGP however assured that the nation would soon recruit 10,000 men and officers to beef up the capability of the Force.

The a-IGP, who appeared before the Senate at a closed session on Tuesday also addressed Senate correspondents shortly after the two-hour meeting.

His appearance before the Senate was sequel to a motion moved by Senator Shehu Sani, and co-sponsored by all Senators which raised the alarm over the rising waves of insecurity and kidnappings in the country and especially on the Abuja/Kaduna Road.

It was the first time an Inspector General of the Police would be appearing before the Senators since the tenure of immediate past IGP, Mohammed Idris stall all efforts aimed at making him to brief the lawmakers between 2016 and 2019.

According to the IGP, the problem of insecurity in the country would be better tackled if the Force has adequate personnel and  equipment

He however assured newsmen that the Force was reviewing its strategies to ensure that the nation’s security challenges are tackled.

He expressed joy that the Senate has agreed to support the police in every area to do their job, adding: ” that policing is dynamic as ultimatum cannot be given on tackling of any crime.

The IGP added: “We discussed the issue of insecurity within the country and we have expanded a lot of strategies that we put in place that is working.

“And we have reviewed the strategies in order to mitigate some of the challenges that emerge, again, they have appreciated what we presented and also they gave suggestions on how to enhance the strategy 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 an 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”

When asked about the alleged rape of some arrested sex workers by policemen in Abuja, the Police boss said that the force was setting up a panel to investigate and that anybody caught and proven to have done anything wrong would face the law.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, who opened the session with the IGP after the two hours closed session, said that the Session deliberated on banditry, robbery, terrorist activities and other security challenges in the country.

He appreciated efforts of the Police in ameliorating the situation and challenges of insecurity, adding that the IGP promised to address areas that has to do with the discipline of officers.

The Senate President also assured that the IGP told the Senate that efforts would be made to redress the rising waves of kidnapping on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, while also strengthening intelligence.

Saraki said: “The Senate in a closed-door session was briefed by the acting Inspector-General of Police on armed banditry, kidnappings, robberies, terrorist activities and other security challenges in the country.

ALSO READ: FG did not offer Miyetti Allah N100bn to stop kidnapping nationwide ― IG

“The Nigerian Police should ameliorate the situation and the challenges. We hereby hope to address the menace squarely.

“He (IGP) promised to address the areas that have to do with disciplining of officers that have been found wanting. Efforts will be taken to improve on the situation particularly on the Abuja-Kaduna axis and also on areas of intelligence and technology.

“The Senate also promised and is committed that it is ready at any time to give assistance to provide adequate funding that is required in order to make the police to be able to combat the necessary threats to our security.”

The Senate assured of the commitment to address the issues of insecurity, adding that they are ready to give adequate funding that is required in order to make the Police to be able to combat the unnecessary threats to our security.

Before the Senate went into closed session, the Senator representing Osun East, Babajide Omoworare told the Senate that a Professor of the Obafemi Awolowo University,(OAU) who was kidnapped by gunmen days ago had been released.

The Senator who took the floor through order 43  of the Senate Standing Orders said that the Police for rescued the abducted OAU Professor.

According to him, he brought the good news to the Senate as a strong indication that the Police and other security agencies were rising up to the challenge.