You Are Not Authorized To Kill Anyone -- IG Warns SARS

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has warned Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives against torture and extra-judicial killings, saying no policeman in the world had the right or authority to kill crime suspects.

He admonished the SARS personnel to always respect the right of every Nigerian, noting that this was the way they could change the negative public perception about them.

Addressing SARS operatives and their commanders from various state at the Force Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja, the IG said:

“You should respect the constitutional right of every Nigerian; you don’t have authority to take lives, you don’t have authority to change a civil case to a criminal case, you don’t have the right to torture suspects."

He said policemen had a lot to do to correct the public perception that they do not follow due process in their operations.

He said the squad would undergo retraining and restructuring, adding that civil society organisations would be involved in the revamping process to contribute to the training programme.

IGP Idris stated that the squad would have an intelligence arm to assist with intelligence gathering, stressing that the SARS’ operation would be intelligence-led, henceforth.

According to the IG, the operatives would be issued new badges and placed under Commissioners of Police, while those in Abuja and Lagos would be under the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of operations.

He warned against excessive force and reckless use of firearms, which could cause public panic.

He said, “You should conduct yourself to the admiration of the people. Don’t portray yourself as a demon. SARS is not devilish; you have to change the face of SARS by handling cases justly. Don’t turn the complainant into a criminal. You have to be sincere in dealing with the public.”

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Why PoliceMen Stopped #BBOG Campaigners --- IG

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Tuesday defended the recent decision of the police to stop the protest train  #BringBackOurGirls group and the parents of the Chibok schoolgirls who were abducted by the Boko Haram sect in April 2014, from getting to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Represented by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Labbo, ‎the IGP spoke at the 2016 International Day of the Disappeared/Missing Persons, held at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja.

The event was organised by the NHRC in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the National Technical Committee on the Establishment and Management of Database of Missing Persons in Nigeria.

While responding to a question during the event on Tuesday, Labbo said the BBOG protesters were stopped on August 22 to prevent rowdiness around Aso Rock.

Together with hundreds of sympathisers, who joined them on the way, the BBOG protesters had on August 22, moved towards the Presidential Villa, demanding concrete actions from the Federal Government to save the girls.

But the movement of the protesters was cut short by armed riot policemen who blocked the access road to the Presidential Villa.

Labbo explained that the police were not interested in preventing the group from meeting with ‎President Muhammadu Buhari, but that the protest train had to be stopped to avoid rowdiness around the seat of power.

He, however, said that the group would only be allowed to meet with the President through their leaders.

He said, “We sympathise with you. We did not stop you from meeting with the President. Anytime you want to see the President you can meet with the President but you have to nominate your leaders to meet with the President on your behalf.

“We believe that all unions have leaders. We are there to protect the Villa and we will not allow any rowdiness around the Villa.

“Please send some delegates, two or three of them to meet with the President.

“Whenever you want to see the President, go through your leaders. They will talk and the President will listen to you because this government is always ready to listen to you.”

War Against Militant: IGP visits Ikorodu , Order Demolition of NearBy Buildings

Ibrahim Idris

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim, on Thursday visited Isawo creeks in the Ikorodu neighbourhood of Lagos State, where militants recently unleashed terror on the residents.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ibrahim was conducted round the areas by Lt.-Col. Julius Ogbobe, the commander of the military operation in the area.

After assessing the security situation in the area, Ibrahim said that all buildings close to the creeks should be pulled down, stressing that the affected buildings had compromised the security of the area.

Woman Recovers Her Stolen Vehicle After Robbery Attack, Thanks Nigeria Security Operatives

Nigerian police force has once again proven its competency after helping a woman recover her stolen car and that of her mom - months after a robbery attack at their home in Rivers state. According to report, the stolen cars were located and recovered in Calabar after being repainted by the thieves.

Three Injured in Fatal Accident in Ondo (Photos)

Accident Scene

A ghastly motor accident which occurred along Akure – Ipetu (Ibule), Ondo State on Sunday, reportedly left about three persons critically injured.

The accident involving two vehicles, one with the Reg number: SMK559EF, happened at about 3pm.

IGP, Ibrahim Idris Pay a Visit to Chief of Army Staff, Lt Col Buratai (Photos)

Two suspected for the Death of Bola Ige

Photo: Late Bola Ige

Two yet-to-be named suspects undergoing investigation in connection with the murder of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, have reportedly opened up on their involvement.

See The New SPY Police Uniform As Unveiled by IGP Arase

Inspector general of police, Solomon Arase, had stopped SPY Police personnel from wearing regular police uniform, which the Nigerian Police authorities said was making some act like "real" police.

Consequently, the IGP has approved and unveiled a new uniform for them which now makes it obvious that they are not regular Nigerian Police officers and cannot pretend to be or act as such.

Inspector General explains the Reasons why Police cannot protect all Nigerian

Solomon Arase

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has said that the current number of Policemen in Nigeria is far too inadequate to provided security to all Nigerians coupled with poor funding of the force.

According to the IG, the size of the Nigerian Police currently put at 305,000 policemen and women is not enough to guarantee the security of all segments of Nigeria.



The Police Force and other security agencies in the country have come under severe criticism from members of the public over recent spate of attacks and killings of innocent citizens by herdsmen across the country with particular reference to the invasion of Agatu people of Benue state by suspected herdsmen and that of Enugu state.

The IG, while delivering a public lecture on the topic, “Police and Public Partnership in prevention and control of violent crime and conflicts in Nigeria” at the MultiPurpose Hall of University of Jos on Friday, said the current numbers of policemen and inadequate funding accounts for the inefficiency of the police and its inability to be everywhere in the country.

According to IG Arase, “The organizational structure of the Force consists of the Force Headquarters, 12 zonal commands, and 37 State commands including the Federal Capital Territory. Nigeria Police Force’s staff strength by 31st December 2015 was 305,000. This is inclusive of 1,331 Cadets currently on training at the Police Academy, Kano as well as specialist branches and civilian support staff.

“Female officers in the Force constituted 30,854 (9.47%), while there are 127 area commands; 1,130 police divisions; 1,579 police stations, 2,165 police posts, and 1,591 village police posts (NPF Annual Report 2013: 137).

Speaker further, IG Arase said: “The work of the police in any society is a very difficult, complex and dangerous vocation. The expectations of members of the public in Nigeria are many and varied and exceed the resources and support given to the police. Failures on the part of the police are easily observed and widely reported and condemned while achievements of the police are rarely recognized, applauded and rewarded.

“Police are in constant contact with dangerous persons and in dangerous situations. In spite of the inherent hostile policing environment and sundry challenges, the Nigeria Police has remained steadfast to its responsibility of guaranteeing the safety of the lives and property of the citizens even at the risk of their own lives.

“Between January 2014 – December, 2015 a total of 278 police officers paid the supreme sacrifice in the discharge of their statutory Mandate in relation to enhancement of community peace and security, while 194 others sustained varying degree of injuries. Similarly, between January – April 2016, we have lost a total of 72 Police personnel with 78 others injured in the line of internal security duties. Cases of killing of police personnel have increased since 2009 due to terrorist attacks by Boko Haram.

“Policing in Nigeria is particularly difficult because of several inadequacies. Many scholars and government police reform committees in the country have identified several factors that inhibit police efficiency. Some of the identified problems are:

Inadequate logistic and resources (especially transportation, telecommunication, arms and ammunition, accommodation, etc.) for police services, Inadequate personnel with training, skill and orientation required for policing a country with complex security challenges, Inadequate resources for effective law enforcement, intelligence gathering, criminal investigation and prosecution.

“Other challenges include lack of appropriate police stations, offices, facilities and accommodation, lack of modern forensic laboratory and other technological aid to law enforcement, inappropriate use of arms and ammunitions, absence of reliable and comprehensive criminal database and poor conditions of service, including low remuneration and pension benefits.

“The challenges notwithstanding, Citizens also have a responsibility towards the police. The police will be ineffective if the citizens constantly disrespect, distrust, assault, insult and antagonize the police. The Constitution, in chapter 2 obliged citizens to assist law enforcement agencies as civic responsibility. Unfortunately, most citizens are either unaware of this obligation or chose to ignore it.
Arase suggested that, “In order to enhance police efficiency, develop and sustain effective police-public partnership, citizens and communities should appreciate the duties and powers of the police and avoid criticizing them just of the inconvenience arising from law enforcement intended to guarantee public peace and safety and promote the rights and liberties of others.

“We expect the public to have respect for legitimate authority and laws, parents, religious, traditional and educational institutions should inculcate in children and youth respect for legitimate authorities and laws at all levels of society without shying away from holding those in authority accountable for their actions, decisions and conduct.