- ‘Corruption Tamed In The Police’
AGAINST public service rule that puts retirement age at 60 or 35 years of service, as well as the ambition of some senior Police officers seeking to succeed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, the authorities have revealed that the current Police boss would not be retiring midway into the general elections, as there exist an appointment letter extending his term in office.
Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, who disclosed this to journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, on Wednesday, January 18, explained that the Police Act 2020 has changed the rules.
There were speculations in the media that Baba would clock 60 on March 1, 2023, and was expected to honour the rule that compels public servants to go on retirement at that age.
But fielding questions from journalists, Dingyadi said: “I don’t know where you got your record, but let me say that by the provision of the Police Act 2020, the IGP is now supposed to have a kind of four-year period and Mr. President has already given him letter of appointment in that regard.
So, the issue of IGP going out during this election period does not arise.”
Baba was appointed acting IGP in April 6, 2021, while the Police Council confirmed him as the substantive IGP in June 2021.
There have been concerns over the expected retirement of the IGP, three Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), many Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs) and 290 other policemen in the first quarter of this year.
Dingyadi also disclosed that FEC approved draft bill for an Act to establish Nigeria Police Institutions, which he said is to provide legal backing to the existing training institutions across the country and not to build new ones.
The minister also affirmed that the level of corruption within the Nigeria Police has drastically reduced as a result of the sundry reforms initiated by the All Progressive Congress (APC) administration.
He said: “I must say that even before this Police proposal or Bill, our findings have shown that the level of corruption has drastically reduced because of this government reforms.
“It is worth it to note that as part of Mr. President’s reform of Nigerian Police ecosystem, the ministry is championing Police reforms with the strong backing of the Presidency and stakeholders to address observed gaps in the training and retraining of Police officers.
“They have rehabilitated and upgraded available Police training institutions and facilities nationwide, tackled lack of funding to take care of the training institutions and created a robust structure for effective management and administration of the institutions.
“In consideration of the above, the FEC has today, graciously approved the draft Bill for an Act to establish Nigeria Police Force College Training Schools and Institutions to serve as centres for professional training of officers, Nigerian Police Force and other related matters.
“It has also directed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Minister of Justice to transmit the draft Bill to National Assembly for enactment into law.
“Distinguished ladies and gentleman, by the time this draft Bill is passed by the National Assembly, it is expected to change the narrative in our institutions.
“In addition to giving legal backing to this institutions and financial autonomy, it will also have to mobilise the much-needed technical and financial support from within and outside the country for the modernisation of Police training facilities towards improving the quality of officers that are produced for deployment, in furtherance of federal government’s agenda on Police reforms for effective policing in the country.”
