Recall that the Police via Twitter in June said it will launch the mobile-app in a bid to combat the high rate of criminality and criminal elements, kidnappers, domestic offenders, violence, cultism, rape, robbery, among so many others.
Also recall that a newspaper organisation (not Tribune titles) had published a report claiming the Police asked users of the application to pay N12,000 yearly subscription for ‘individual plan’. The report also said access to the two other subscription plans, family plan and student plan was restricted.
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But Police in the Saturday statement said: “The Force wishes to state that there are no plans whatsoever to charge Nigerians for services bordering on Emergency Crime Reportage through the use of Police-VGS Mobile-App.
“The mobile-app, which is comparable to the Police 911 emergency toll-free line obtainable in other climes, is still undergoing internal-test and the Force is working out modalities on how Nigerians can benefit from its use free of charge.
“Consequently, the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has directed the Management of Vigiscope Nigeria Limited to expunge the payment option on the app and to strictly adhere to the original terms of reference.
“The IGP has further directed a comprehensive investigation and forensic auditing of all accounts as they concern to the alleged payment of subscription fee by some Nigerians.
“The Force notes that it will no doubt continue to partner with relevant private entities in evolving technologically driven solutions towards smartly combatting crimes and addressing security challenges within the country.
“However, such partnership must be done taking into cognizance statutes guiding the Force, the overriding interest of the public and International Best Practices.”
POLICE-VGS MOBILE APP: NO PLANS TO CHARGE NIGERIANS
The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a publication on Page 39 of the PUNCH Newspaper, 2nd August, 2019 captioned ‘‘Nigeria Police Demand N12,000 to use Emergency App’’. pic.twitter.com/tbA3QgEkaj
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) August 3, 2019
and then