The claim and counter claims between the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, and his erstwhile friend and ally, Senator Hamman Misau, is not over by any indication.
CHIZOBA OGBECHE examines the implication of the impasse on the Nigeria Police Force in the face of over whelming security challenges.
Th e claim and counter claims between the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, and his erstwhile friend and ally, Senator Hamman Misau, is not over by any indication.
CHIZOBA OGBECHE examines the implication of the impasse on the Nigeria Police Force in the face of over whelming security challenges.
Th e Nigeria Police Force and the Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Senator Isa Misau, have been at daggers drawn allegations fi nancial and procedural misconduct raised against the Force and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, by the lawmaker.
Though the Police boss has continued to debunk Senator Misua’s claims, however, he has remained undaunted and has raised even more allegations that the police boss reportedly had relations with two female police officers and gave them special promoted.
Investigation by our correspondent, however, revealed that one of the said offi cer, who is a pilot was promoted alongside 30 other colleagues on April 28, 2017; just as plans have been concluded to promote 26 engineers, who are also in the category of offi cers with special qualification.
Our investigation further revealed that the entry point of all officers, including engineers, doctors, pilots is supposed to be Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) on level 10/2 but has not been followed over the years.
Similarly, records obtained by our correspondent at the Force Headquarters, revealed that the other lady, mentioned by mentioned by Senator Misau as Corporal Amina in his allegations, who is said to have been equally given special promotion by IGP Idris, has also been discovered to be false.
Th e records further showed that the said lady is currently a woman Inspector and had been working in Kano State Police Command before Ibrahim Idris was posted there as Commissioner of Police (CP).
According to the records, woman Inspector was promoted before IGP Idris was appointed IGP contrary to the claim by Misau that she was promoted by Idris after he assumed office.
Speaking on the development, a top police offi cer, who pleaded anonymity accused Misau of displaying ignorance on the issue of marriage between offi cers in the Force.
Th e source disclosed that marriage between serving offi cers in the Force was not allowed between a senior and junior offi cer but that senior offi cers can marry each other.
While accusing Misau of being on vendetta against the IGP, the source disclosed that a serving Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) is currently married to a Sergeant.
“Why is Misau not saying anything about the DIG or is he not aware of it? Let Misau tell Nigerians his real grouse with IGP Idris,” the source queried.
On the issue of postings or transfers raised by Misau, our correspondent also sighted a letter written by Senator Misau to the IGP on May 8, 2017, requesting for the transfer of a DSP (names withheld) from Abuja to any command close to Rivers state.
Th e letter which was signed by the lawmaker was titled: ‘Compassionate appeal for the transfer of (names withheld) from DFA, FHQ, Abuja, to any command close to Rivers state.
’ It read in part: “I write to compassionately appeal for the transfer of the above-named offi cer to any command close to Rivers or Lagos state.
“Th e offi cer who is an old acquaintance of mine from Rivers state with family that reside in Lagos, has barely few months to retire from the service.
“…I would appreciate your kind gesture in this regard, please…While thanking you for the kind consideration, please accept the assurance of my highest regards.
” Our correspondent further confirmed that the transfer of the said officer was approved as indicated in another letter dated May 25, 2017, redeploying the officer.
Investigation by our correspondent further revealed that special promotion has been practiced in the Force for many years and it was not instituted by IGP Idris.
Th is was confi rmed by another police offi cer interviewed by Blueprint, who also did not want his name on print for fear of being victimised; just as available records sighted by our correspondent at the Force Headquarters revealed that predecessors, including his immediate predecessor, IGP Solomon Arase, did many special promotions, which was not questioned in any quarter.
Records revealed that during one of the promotions by IGP Arase, an offi cer was promoted above 114 of his senior colleagues and given Acting Commissioner of Police (CP).
He was confirmed within 4 days after as Commissioner of Police.
Also, a cursory look at the records showed that a onetime Commissioner of Police (CP) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) (names withheld) under a former IGP, was promoted above over 300 of his senior colleagues.
Records also revealed that during the time of other IGPs including Ehindero, there were special promotions, which were enmeshed in controversy and were reversed.
“Th e issue of posting raised by Misau does not hold water because it is done by the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Moreover, every IGP uses his discretion because he knows the officers who have the capacity to deliver on any given assignment at a particular point in time,” another source at the Force Headquarters noted.
Speaking on the longdrawn battle between the police boss and the lawmaker, another police source called for intervention from higher authority so the police boss and the management team could focus on the challenges of protecting lives and property in the country.
According to the police officer, “it is unbecoming of a Senator of the Federal Republic to be involved in a media battle against the leadership of an institution which he cannot deny brought him to limelight.
“As if that is not enough, he has taken the battle to the hallowed chamber of the Senate.
I know that there are better ways to resolve whatever bad blood between two of them.
We are all aware that they used to be friends and even travelled around together.
“Th e situation is affecting the moral of some of us, we are not encouraged to give our all, because we expect that a person who is given a responsibility to perform should not be distracted unduly.
I hope the situation would be amicably resolved soon.
