- Ribadu, Arase, Geidam, NGF Chair Make Committee To Review Constitutional Gaps In Police Legal Statutes
- Why We Confirmed Egbetokun As Substantive IGP-Geidam
In a bid to ring wholesome changes to the police architecture in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled a blueprint to reform the Nigeria Police Force.
Some of the strategies to be deployed include the setting up of a special committee to look into the possible gaps in the nation’s legal statutes from 1999 until date as they concern the police to bridge them.
The Matrix gathered that the committee is made up of the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Solomon Arase; and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
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This development was announced by Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed to correspondents after Tuesday’s meeting of the Police Council presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Earlier, the Council had confirmed Kayode Egbetokun was confirmed as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
According to the governor, the review was necessary to ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigerian police in line with the reform agenda of the present administration.
Speaking on the confirmation of Egbetokun as IGP, Mohammed stated: “The confirmation of the IGP prompted further discussion on the Nigeria Police Force, and the President has formed a special committee to look at all the gaps in Nigeria’s 1999 constitution to bring harmony and synergy, closing technology, and manpower to the Nigerian Police Force.”
The committee comprises the Minister of Police Affairs, NSA, Chairman of the PSC, and the Chairman of the NGF. They will work together with a view to make sure that the Nigeria Police is reformed” he added.
In his remarks at the press briefing, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, pointed out that Egbetokun’s statement on the professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force, community policing, and adequate funding for the Nigerian Police Force were heartwarming, indicating his readiness to tackle the nation’s security problems.
Abiodun disclosed that the National Police Council observed that no meaningful reforms have taken place in the Nigerian police force since its creation in 1861.
He added that the committee is expected to evolve ideas that will lead to reforms to characterise the new Nigerian Police Force, saying: “The newly confirmed IGP is adequately prepared; his CV is extremely rich and very experienced intellectually and practically.
“He also addressed us as a council on the state of policing in Nigeria; amongst other things that he highlighted; he spoke about the need for technology-driven policing.
“The need for community-based policing, the need to ensure that required budgetary provision is provided for community-based policing, which has been proven to be very effective,”
Abiodun further revealed that the newly confirmed IGP also addressed the Council on major police requirements that involve technology-driven policing.
The Ogun governor added: “The IGP also remarked on professionalism in the police, canvassing that each policeman will have endowed certain qualities and they should be encouraged to follow those qualities so that they will be professional.
“The issue of funding also came up, and this committee of 4-5 will look at these issues that border on reforms. We observed that there have been no meaningful reforms since the establishment of the Nigerian Police Force.
“So we believe that with the newly set-up committee, they will come up with ideas that will lead to reforms that will characterise the new Nigerian Police Force.”
Meanwhile, speaking earlier, the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam, explained that the council confirmed Egbetokun because he had acquitted himself well since he was appointed in an acting capacity.
He affirmed that Egbetokun has also provided a blueprint for ensuring the security of the country, which indicates his suitability for the post.
