Newly promoted Magu has already retired ― FG

Former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, retired before being upgraded to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), this week.

Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, disclosed this while appearing on the ministerial media chat organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

The former anti-graft agency boss had been investigated by a presidential panel headed by Justice Ayo Salami which has since submitted its report in which it recommended the retirement of Magu in 2020.

However, the Police Service Commission (PSC) listed his name this week as one of the newly promoted AIGs.

When asked why he was promoted, the minister said it was the responsibility of the PSC, which is under the Presidency. to provide the answer.

But he affirmed that Magu has already retired, noting that being retired will not preclude him from any disciplinary measures should the need arise.

Responding to the question, the Minister stated: “Well, this is an issue that should have been addressed by the Police Service Commission, who have the responsibility to conduct promotions of the police. They are not here. And I am aware that the Police Service Commission is directly under the presidency. So I cannot speak for them.

“But what I know is that Mr Magu has already retired and that is what I can tell you now. The fact that he was promoted is a matter for the Police Commission to maybe throw more light on.

“I’m not aware of the position of the government on the report you are talking about and I think it is still being under consideration.

“It doesn’t mean that when he retires, the laws will not catch up with him whenever he is found guilty. So, I think it’s not completely a finished business.”

Dingyadi, who had also been requested to throw light on the situation of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, being prosecuted for alleged drug offences by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), declined comments on the grounds that his case is in court.

“You also wanted to know the latest on Abba Kyari, the issue of Abba Kyari, you all know where it is. It’s a matter in court. So for me to talk about it, it amounts to subdue. So please, let’s wait for the decision of the court on the matter. And we’ll all be there to wish the court the best in whatever they see fit in the matter,” he said.

The minister, who presented a progress report on his ministry, affirmed that the police do not need to bear arms to fight crime but rather, with the use of technology.

He, therefore, noted that the administration is paying attention to the use of technology, urging Nigerians to cooperate to ensure success.

Also answering a question on the use of technology, Dingyadi said: “I like the fact that you have drawn attention to the fact that policing strategy now is no longer about having motorcades, AK 47 and other security gadgets, and that what is required now is high tech to win the war on insurgency or whatever you’re fighting. I agree with you.

“I indicated our efforts in moving towards technology including policing. That is the way to go. And we are moving in that direction. But, you know, the police is a civil institution and we’re not even emphasizing this arms and ammunition. What we are emphasizing is to ensure that, as civilians, as we are, we try to ensure that we will resolve issues without having to use firearms or anything.

“And with the support of the community, with the support of Nigerians, the police doesn’t need to use firearms but we’ll have them and we’re having them in case there is a need to use them. What is most important is the technology like you said And we are paying special attention to this.

“And we know the whole world is going that direction and this administration are not unmindful of that direction and we’re trying to pursue to ensure that policing is technology-driven.

“We will make sure that the police in this country have the best technology to fight these criminals. So, please support us in whatever we do. We are out there for you. The police are always ready and willing to support whoever is in need of our support. In the same vein, we also need your support.”

The minister remarked that with the recruitment of 25,000 constabularies, the Community Policing initiative of the federal government has commenced.

He added: “And it has commenced and we couldn’t have trained 25,000 constabularies if the programme has not started. So, the programme is on course and is in all the 36 states of the Federation, and these constabularies have been posted to their various communities, and like I said, in my presentation, to do a lot of policing activities in those areas, and to add to the visibility of police in those communities. And the responsibility of the communities in which these constabularies are being posted is to cooperate with these constabularies to ensure that they assist them in sharing intelligence, and in reporting cases that need to be reported.

“And to assist them in resolving issues that can be easily or locally resolved.

“So, the community policing programme is there for the communities to ensure that they collaborate with these constabularies to provide peace in their communities.”

On police recruitment, Dingyadi noted that the ministry has the approval to sign on 40,000 constables out of which 20,000 has already been achieved, noting that the plan is to have 30,000 constables on the payroll in the next two months.

He explained: “On the recruitment of police being controversial. I don’t know how controversial. I want to tell you that I’ve already given a report on this. You will recall that Mr President had directed us to recruit 40,000 Constables within his second tenure.

“We have so far done 20,000. We are on the third tranche of this recruitment. And I think in the next one month or two, we will be concluding, the third tranche and we will be having about 30,000 constables on our payroll.”

Addressing the issue of psychiatric tests for police personnel and updating on the EndSARS demands, he said: “Talking about the psychological tests and other tests, that you are talking about, I want to assure you that we are busy taking every possible measure to ensure that we conduct thorough examinations, very extensive screening, including medical tests to ensure that those we are recruiting is not just into any job.

“We are recruiting the best of hands to ensure that we support the principle of good policing in the country.

“I am not aware of the case you are talking about, but some of these things sometimes happen in any organization. But I want to believe that there is high mortality in all police formations and we are doing our best to recruit the best from society.

“On how far we have gone with the EndSARS demands, I want to believe that these demands all boil down to the welfare of the police so that there will be a civil engagement between the police and Nigerians.

“More than half of my presentation was talking about, one re-equipping, retooling and other packages that we’re extending to the police, just to ensure that we motivate them, we encourage them to be as civil as possible.

“These are some of the demands that the EndSARS came with. Mr President has clearly accepted these demands. And we are making every effort to ensure that we listen to the youth of this country and we try to address these demands and this is what we are doing.”

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