The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has vowed to end corruption in the police force.
In view of this, he has directed the IGP Monitoring Unit (X-Squad), and the Force Provost Marshall, to start enforcing anti-corruption directives across all police formations in the country.
Speaking briefly before his maiden closed-door meeting with senior officers in Abuja on Wednesday, Arase said the measure became necessary to restore the image of the police.
“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.
According to him, any officer caught will be prosecuted.
He lamented that the public had lost confidence in the police because of corruption. This, he noted, had in turn 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.
“The new anti-corruption crusade of the force will take full cognizance of the appropriate sections of our criminal laws and hold both the giver and taker of bribes accountable,” he said.
Among issues to be tackled are the commercialization of bail, re-emergence of road blocks, abuse of police power, particularly in relation to pre-trial detention.
“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.
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