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Scandals, Unlawful arrests & Bad Press: The many controversies of IGP Idris

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, was appointed in June 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari, following the retirement of Solomon Arase, but two years down the line, all has not been well, as Idris has been involved in too many controversies.

The IG, before his confirmation, served as Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa and Kano States and was also the Commissioner of Police in charge of Police Mobile Force at the Force Headquarters.

Addressing newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after his meeting with the President, Idris had said he would give his all to the job,

“We are going to do everything possible to ensure that we provide the best service to this Country.” He promised.

His many controversies may be a challenge to anyone trying to sight his achievements in this regard.

A ridiculous accusation

As if to catch into the anti-corruption narrative, IGP Idris, before his confirmation, alleged that his predecessor Arase took 22 vehicles along while leaving office.

But Arase claimed, in response, that every information about the vehicles and perhaps on other issues were in his handover notes.

“It’s unfortunate that this matter is being made a media issue because my successor has my telephone number and could have called me for any clarification or even sent me a text message rather than addressing the media on an issue well documented in my handover notes,” Arase said.

Arase went further to challenge Idris to publish plate number of the missing vehicles. The Vehicles were later found to be under repairs.

IGP vs Senator Misau

IGP Idris practically dragged himself into a scandalous outing with Senator Isah Hamman Misau, representing Bauchi Central when the Force suddenly discovered Misau to be a deserter after he had accused the IGP of nepotism and pocketing 5 to 10 million naira from Commissioners of Police and Special Unit Force Commanders, among other claims.

In October 2017, the Senator escalated the issue when he alleged that the IGP was having affair with two policewomen, who are currently in the Force.

Misau further said the Idris impregnated a serving deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Esther, an act which he says contravenes the Police Act.

He further accused Idris of corruption nepotism and engaging in promotion racketeering.

Misau was charged to Court for making “Injurious falsehood” claims against the IG. He pleaded not guilty and was warned to stop making further comments in the media on issues bordering on the charges for which he was being prosecuted.

Police Ranking

In November, according to the 2016 World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI), the Nigeria Police Force was ranked the worst in the world.

WISPI was produced by two bodies – the International Police Science Association and the Institute for Economics and Peace.

The report measured the ability of the Police, in 127 Countries, to address internal security issues and also assessed four key areas which are capacity, process, legitimacy and outcomes.

“This limits the capacity of the force to measure up to its law and order mandate.

“In terms of process, legitimacy and outcomes, the story is not different which makes the force fall short of the required standard.”

The 10 underperforming African countries are Madagascar (111th), Zambia (112th), Ethiopia (115th), Sierra Leone (117th), Cameroon (120th), Mozambique (122nd), Uganda (124th), Kenya (125th), Democratic Republic of Congo (126th).

In defence, Spokeman of the Force, Jimoh Moshood, described the ranking as being fake and mischievous, alleging that they are the best in Africa. A claim that did more to embarrass the Police than defend it.

According to Moshood, the ranking is an attempt to “cast aspersions on the achievement of the Police”.

“The report is not correct, the Nigeria police force rejects it in its entirety because it is complete falsehood.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the performance of the Nigeria police force at this critical time is at the highest because if you go to various missions across the world, our personnel are there doing the Country proud.

“And even when you look at our performance in terms of internal security, cases of kidnapping and armed robbery have drastically reduced to the barest minimum. The security situation in the Country now is such that people can go about their duties without any fear.”

Mr. Jimoh further revealed that Nigeria is currently the leader of INTERPOL in Africa, adding that, if they were the worst as claimed, the Force will not be elected as the leader of INTERPOL in the continent.

Unwarranted arrest & Disobedience of Court Order

Armed operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), stormed the house of the Elombahs on January 1st in Anambra State and whisked away six members of the family, including Daniel and Timothy, two brothers who are, respectively, Publisher and Editor of elombah.com.

One of the brothers was accused of publishing an article on the site, which was said to be blackmailing the IGP.

When Mr Ibrahim was asked regarding the arrest, hestated that the brothers were arrested for committing an offence- which he did not disclosed. Festus Keyamo, a human rights activist and lawyer who is closed to the government, had to call for the removal of Mr. Idris in a letter to the President.

The police also arrested self styled anti-corruption activist Ibrahim Garba Wala and refused to grant him bail despite violation of his rights. The arrest was based on a petition by the Chairman of a Commission, who IG Wala accused of corruption.

In February, Kassim Afegbua, who is spokesman for former Head of State Ibrahim Babandiga, released a statement on his Boss’ behalf wherein he asked Nigerians to support President Buhari when for the rest of his tenure and then consider a better candidate for 2019. The General’s associates paniced and issued a counter statement dissociating the General from the earlier one. Before the dust could settle, as it later did when everyone confirmed the General actually did approve Afegbua’s message, the IGP ordered for the arrest of Mr. Afegbua should he fail to report at the Force Headquarters. His claim was that Mr. Afegbua issued a false statement. He now knows better.

Also, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the federal high court had ordered the Nigerian Police to unseal the corporate headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), with immediate effect. The Police ignored this order. Before this, the Police had arrested, for no clear reason, the Corp’s National Commandant, Amb (Dr.) Dickson Akoh and 49 others and sealed off the office.

In his ruling on the 9th November, 2017, Justice Kolawole described the arrest, detention and sealing of the office as illegal and flagrant abuse of the rights of officers of the Corps, thereby awarding N12.5m cost against the police, in a human rights suit instituted by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, on behalf of the Corps.

Benue Killings and war of words with the Governor

After the news of the attack in Benue broke, Idris, who obviously was not given reports of the incident claimed it was a communal clash, though, he later apologised for the gaffe.

Idris was later summoned by the Senate, where he said Governors should do away with the Anti-Open Grazing Law, until ranches are established.

This prompted Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, asking him to resign from his post having shown clear bais.

In defence of his Boss, the increasingly notorius Jimoh Moshood, argued that the Governor should be the one to resign first, in no kind words,

“What he has said, the document presented to the Senate is for action by the senate. And nobody can make any part or complete document public until the Senate makes a decision on it and passes a resolution.

“And that is why we felt you don’t join issues with a drowning man.”

Vote of no Confidence by lawmakers.

In February, the House of Representatives passed a vote of no confidence on the IGP, after various complaints from the lawmakers on the failings of the Police chief, asking President Buhari to sack and replace him with “a more professional Police officer”.

A motion raised by Danburam Nuhu, from Kano state, drew the attention of the lawmakers to the “complicity” of the Nigeria police in the high rate of thuggery in Kano.

In the course of the deliberations, some of the lawmakers faulted the police for its failure to address the situation in Kano.

According to John Dyegh, from Benue State, he wondered how the IGP would say he was ignorant of the killings in Benue when intelligence reports alleged killers were camped in a Local Government Area in Nasarrawa State.

“It is obvious the IGP is incapable of his job. So I am amending the prayers to be that the President should replace the IGP with a more professional police officer.”

The lawmakers subsequently adopted the amendment.

Flouting Buhari’s order

Following the Benue attack, President Buhari had ordered the IGP to relocate to the State so as to monitor the situation and happenings.

But Buhari’s recent visit to the State was met with revelations that Mr. Idris only spent a few days before handing over to DIG Operations – a move which met the President with shock.

The Police was largely unable to refute the claims that the IGP did not spend time in Benue as instructed, the Presidency announced that the IGP was summoned and told to present report of the Force’s activity in the State before further action can be taken.

The IGP reported to Benue on the 10th of February. Just 6 days latter he was in Lagos for a book launch and spoke of his going to Benue in past terms. How much the fact that the book was about security, dedicated to men of the Police Force and was for the funding of peace efforts will count in the IGP’s favour is yet to be known. But his birthday shot taken far away from Benue, a day before that, will not help matters.

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