The Kaduna State police command has denied the statement made by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai on his X handle, claiming that the state police are now a “kidnapping gang for Uba Sani” and are being used to arrest opposition members.
In a statement issued on Friday by police spokesperson DSP Hassan Mansir, which was shared with newsmen in Kaduna, the police emphasized that there is no kidnapping gang within the police force, asserting that the police are a legitimate institution.
The statement clarified that the police, as a lawful body, have the authority to arrest anyone who is alleged to have committed a crime.
Thus the statement averred that once “individuals, corporate organisations and government, etc. lodge a formal complaint to police, and police have the mandate to investigate such allegations, and when it’s believed that an offence has been committed such matter be prosecuted or referred to court.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Kaduna State Police Command has been drawn to a statement credited to former Governor of the State, Malam Nasir El Rufai, on his X handle, wherein he alleged that one of his former Commissioners, Malam Jafaru Sani, was abducted by what he referred to as “Uba Sani’s “kidnapping gang,’’ which he claimed to be the police.
“The former governor further stated that Jafaru was remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police First Information Report or charges by the State Ministry of Justice.
“To put the records straight, there is no kidnapping gang within the Nigerian Police Force. The Nigerian Police, as an institution, is created by the 1999 Constitution. The statutes mandate the police to maintain law and order.
“In the discharge of this constitutional duty, the police have the legal, legitimate and constitutional right to arrest and investigate whoever is alleged or suspected to have committed an offence.
“Individuals, corporate organisations and government etc, Have the right to lodge a formal complaint to police and the police have mandate to investigate such allegations, and when it’s believed that an offence has been committed, such matter be prosecuted or referred to court.
“The Command urges the members of the public, especially individuals who have held positions of authority, to exercise caution and desist from frivolous and malicious allegations against any security agency.
“We urge individuals to always verify allegations before making any public statements. Making unverified allegations against security agencies not only mislead the public but also has the potential to undermine law enforcement agencies.”
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