Acting-Inspector General of Police pledges to tackle Corruption

The Acting Inspector-General of Police in Nigeria, Mr Solomon Arase, has directed the IGP Monitoring Unit (X-Squad), and the Force Provost Marshall, to start enforcing anti-corruption directives in order to check corrupt practices among police personnel.

Mr Arase wants to restore and bring a good image to the Police Force, he gave the directive after a closed door meeting with senior officers of the force.

He said, “Any officer caught either through whistle-blowing framework or direct operations of the enforcement units of the force will be appropriately dealt with in line with established disciplinary procedure”

He said the public had lost confidence in the police because of corruption, adding that it had also hindered the force from tackling crime in the most ethical and professional manner.

“This administration intends to address the menace of corruption in the police by developing frameworks and interventions that will address root causes of corruption.

“In this regard, official factors like logistics and welfare challenges that create grounds for corrupt tendencies by police officers will be vigorously addressed.

“The second approach is to pursue a very robust anti-corruption enforcement strategy that will leave no serving officers and citizens under any illusion about its integrity, and firm commitment to national ethical rebirth and development.

“Very soon, the nation will witness a massive and sustained deployment of the anti-corruption action units of the force for enforcement functions”, he said.

Arase restated the ban on road blocks nationwide and described it as public nuisance, points of corruption and a source of police-citizens frictions.

“The Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in whose jurisdiction illegal road blocks are detected will be personally or vicariously held liable”, he said.

He added that strict and swift disciplinary actions would be meted out to such officers found culpable.

Source: NigerianEye

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