We could have been more proactive – IGP II Inspector-general of police Ogbonna Onovo yesterday gave the police thumbs down for the handling of the crisis that led to the killing of people by the “Boko Haram”.
Addressing senior police officers of the Federal Capital Territory police command, Onovo stated that the police should have taken proactive measures in quelling the disturbances rather than combating the problem after it erupted.
The police boss explained that due to lapses in intelligence management, the police lost 14 men as well as arms and ammunition, barracks buildings and vehicles.
The IGP stated: “If you are aware of what happened, where we lost 14 of our colleagues, several barracks and police stations, arms and ammunition, and vehicles, then, you should realise it was a serious matter.
“If we know that our democracy must survive, then we must be proactive, strengthened and maintain law and order in an accountable manner.
“We are accused that we did not round up members of the religious sect. Yes, we failed to be proactive. However, the commissioner of police in charge of the state said anytime they arrested them they would say there was freedom of worship. But, I tell you, such freedoms are curtailed especially when they become superfluous. We must be proactive in curtailing crimes.”
On the overall image of the police, Onovo urged the police officers to work hard to reclaim their lost glory, especially in situations where civilians put policemen to duties they ought not to be put to.He maintained his stand to recall all police officers illegally posted as orderlies to unauthorised persons, pointing out that, at the expiration of his deadline, he would take stern measures against such police officers. Though he said the list of personalities entitled to police protection, which he had released, is not exhaustive, he noted that top public officials are entitled to police protection always.According to him, the police should not be seen around or guide people of questionable character, stressing that it was because policemen were posted to such persons that the problems erupted. Onovo said: “We will not leave the issue of policemen on illegal posting just like that. We will set up teams to apprehend them. We shall go to airports, social gatherings and similar places. We shall not only arrest policemen who carry bags for people or who open gates for people, but we shall ask their superior officers questions. “We must not demean ourselves, opening doors for people, calling themselves escorts or orderlies. This is terrible. You don’t respect this uniform. We have to reclaim the Nigeria Police Force. If we were like this, some of us wouldn’t have joined the force. Let us reclaim it. “Look at the Civil Defence, for instance, a small organization like that. If you post them to anywhere, they remain there. Are they better trained than us? You either live up to expectation as a disciplined police officer or you find your way out. Something has to give way and this is the time. “The people we are targeting are the never-do-wells. We have a duty to protect government officials. Although their names are not there, we must protect them; the list is not exhaustive. We have in mind to halt the criminals in our society from having police orderlies. People of questionable character.”On helming some police officers who have not satisfied the provisions of the Police Act, he explained that those who failed ASP courses twice and those who have passed 40 years of age before they are eligible for promotion to the rank of ASP must be channeled to another line of professional sequence, wherein they could attain a bar of chief-inspector of police. He said it was not his making but in line with the Police Act and the recommendations of the Police Reform Committee. In praising the FCT police command for living up to expectation, Onovo reminded them to shun those things that would denigrate the image of the police like collecting N20 on the road as well as making police stations detestable for the public. “Before you take any action, you must think about it, because whatever action you take has several implications. It is not a sign of weakness when we humble ourselves in a dignified manner. Me must learn to control our temper always,” he stressed.