• Stop using
our name for illegalities, DSS warns operatives
The Nigeria
Governors’ Forum (NGF) has resolved to constitute a six-man committee to
consider the vexed issue of state police in the country in a veiled backing for
restructuring.
The
committee which has membership drawn from representatives of the six
geo-political zones of the country was specifically tasked to come up with the
best way of policing the country in view of the prevailing security challenges
besetting the nation.
This was
sequel to their meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim
Idris, at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja ahead of the
National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday.
Briefing
State House Correspondents after the meeting which ended midnight on Wednesday,
the Chairman of the forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, who was
joined by the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, said the IGP made a
presentation at the meeting during which he canvassed the establishment of
media channels including radio and television for the police force.
“There is
the issue of state police which is being discussed and we are coming up with so
many options,” Yari said.The police boss said the meeting essentially was “to
address some of the challenges in the police unit,” adding “we had a fruitful
discussion with them and obviously all of them are concerned about security in
virtually all parts of the country. They are ready to support the Police Force
to see how we can address some of the challenges.”
Meanwhile,
security chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police Idris, former IGP,
Solomon Arase and other stakeholders on
security will on July 26, meet in Osogbo, the Osun State capital to proffer
solutions to the menace of kidnapping and terrorism in the country.
The
conference is being organised by the Police Community Relations Committee
(PCRC) and would draw security experts from across the country to tackle the
menace of insecurity and terrorism.
The
organisation has pulled its weight behind the introduction of state police,
describing it as the only measure to prevent crime at the grassroots.At a press
conference to herald the national security conference in Osogbo yesterday, the chairman
of the conference planning committee, Mr. John Okedoye, said the conference
became imperative because of the worrisome state of insecurity in the country.
He said the
conference will draw participants from the 36 states of the country including the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.Security experts expected to deliver
papers at the conference include the Inspector General of Police, former IGP
Arase, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and an educationist, Dr.
Oyebade Olowogboyega.
At another
forum yesterday, the IGP said the use of pre-registered subscriber
identification module (SIM) cards is a severe threat to security and
governance. At a one-day sensitisation workshop for law enforcement agencies in
the northeast zone on telecommunications issues organised by the Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC) in Gombe yesterday, he said: “These criminal
activities, including the use of preregistered SIM cards, should be of concern
to all us. We must re-strategise on our noble programme of community policing
across communities and give our communities greater stake in securing national
assets.”
Besides, the
Department of State Services (DSS) has warned security and anti-corruption
agencies allegedly using the name of the service to carry out illegal
operations in parts of the country to stop, Guardian reported.
The DSS was
reacting to the recent search which the service was accused of carrying out at
the Kaduna residence of the former Vice President, Namadi Sambo and another
raid executed at No.165, Ademola Adetokunbo, Wuse II, Abuja, belonging to
Sahara Energy Company.
A statement
by the spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, yesterday in Abuja said these impersonators in
some instances, try to copy the service’s operational tactics by using its
symbols and paraphernalia especially operational dress codes. Opuiyo said the
aim according to information available to the service, was to accord semblance
of legitimacy to their operations and as well leave impressions that the DSS
was, in fact, involved.
The
statement reads: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted, with dismay
and total condemnation, the activities of impostors including some security
agencies who have continually engaged in illegal security operations, allegedly
in the name of the service, in parts of the country.
“Consequently,
the public is hereby alerted to be wary of these ugly trends and also informed
that not all operatives in black uniforms are personnel of the DSS. “The
service is indeed not sparing any effort to ensure that this is brought to a
complete stop. In line with its standard operational procedures, the service
will, in the spirit of public accountability, always inform stakeholders of its
activities on the basis of need-to-know principle,” the statement added. He
therefore, urged persons and groups, with useful information about suspected
illegal operations in any part of the country to provide it to the service for
prompt action.
Relatedly,
the Global Peace Foundation of Nigeria yesterday warned against reprisal
attacks in southern Kaduna, saying they would further inflame the crises.The
Country President of the foundation, Mr. John Oko, gave the warning in Kajuru
when he intervened in the dispute between Fulani and the Kadara communities.
According to
him, dialogue remains the key to ending any conflict, adding: “The killings
must stop while all communities must embrace talks to solve the problem.”He
urged the two communities in Kajuru Local Council Area not to engage in
reprisals following the recent clashes between them.Oko said it was unfortunate
that the fight took place at a time when the various communities were living
peacefully.
He cautioned
that revenge would lead to the death of more innocent persons, as well as agony
and dislocation.“It is unfortunate that people who were living peacefully with
one another have now turned against themselves,’’ he said.
Also, two
northern coordinators of the foundation, John Hayab and Halliru Maraya, have
cautioned the communities to stop taking the law in their hands and allow the
relevant authorities to deal with the situation.
The Chairman
of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the area, Rev. Amos Andrew
also expressed sadness over the outbreak of violence.“What happened was a great
surprise, we will not allow our youths to take laws into their hands. We, as
religious leaders have related very well and made peace by ourselves,” he said.
The local
Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Dahiru Abubakar, added that those involved
in the killings must be brought to book to serve as examples to others.The
police had on Wednesday assured that the situation had been brought under
control, after the clashes in which 34 people died.
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