Police can?t confront armed robbers ? IG: Imagine this crap

[Ete]

By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Senior Correspondent, Abuja

Inspector General of Police (IG), Sunday Ehindero, on Wednesday told the Senate that the police are ill equipped to match the sophistication of modern day armed robbers.



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He said his men are grossly incapable of confronting armed robbers headlong.

His words: "Within the past three years, the dynamics of robbery has taken a new turn. In the past, robbers would go to a bank, seize the cashier and at gunpoint, tell the bank manager to lead them to the safe.

"These days, robbers go for the strong room with sophisticated weapons, in a group of as many as 50 men. My mobile policemen have no chance against them and in fact, the loss of mobile policemen is alarming.

"The last time the police bought armoured tanks was in 1983. Because of lack of spare tyres, we had to buy Caterpillar tyres to replace the old ones.

"One day, during a robbery attempt, armed robbers fired at the tyres and it (the armoured tank) could not move. In an ideal situation, it should not be so."

On the allegation that some governors are behind recent killings in the country, the IG said his office has not received reports on the presence of killer squads in the states.

The Director General of State Security Service (SSS), Kayode Are, had told the senators last Thursday that some governors were involved in assassinations in their states.

Uche Chukwumerije asked him why the police have not been preventing political killings despite information supplied that killer squads are "owned and financed by state governors. The late Dr. Ayo Daramola wrote you a letter on May 6, 2006, asking for police protection. Later he was killed. Thereafter, would you say his death was unpreventable?"

The IG replied: "I have heard of the SSS report but it has not been given to me. How do I make use of it when it has not been given to me? Of course, we are still going on with our investigations.

"Right now, I am focused on the killing of Williams and Daramola; otherwise, I would lose focus. I need information. I need vital information on killer squads and we will arrest them wherever they are. I have written to the DG of SSS to give me the intelligence report that he has about these killer squads but I have not been given."

Despite the gory picture he painted of helplessness of the police against men of the underworld, Ehindero said his men are ready to ensure the success of next year?s general elections.

In a question and answer session, which spanned over three hours, the IG assured the Senate that the police are prepared to play the role of an unbiased umpire in the 2007 polls.

He also disclosed that 50,000 policemen would be recruited ahead of the 2007 general elections.

"President Olusegun Obasanjo has approved the recruitment of 50,000 policemen and unlike in the past, they would be screened with the Automatic Fingerprint Machine.

"Between 2000 and 2005, we have identified the criminals in the police. Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) have been sent to the different formations across the country. We have identified them and we are only waiting for the right time to flush them out of the system.

"Also this month, we would open the second mobile police unit. We intend to overhaul the intelligence personnel, while seeking assistance from our sister agencies.

"We have identified black spots in the country and we have planted mobile camps. Although there have been situations where you tell our men where to patrol and they patrol where they want, well, what do you do? But then, logistics is also a part of the problem," he said.

The IG commended the Senate for amending the 2002 Electoral Act, which now empowers the police to play a more proactive role than it was in the 2003 elections.

"Without elections, there cannot be a democracy. Elections since 1960 have had their own share of violence and acrimony. The spate of political violence as we approach the 2007 elections has escalated. There is the need to emphasise politics without violence. I have the temerity to inform you that we have proliferation of arms and ammunition in the country now. Some politicians carry arms, some even have police uniforms, sewn privately in their houses. A distinct phenomenon in the political history of Nigeria is the growing ethnic militia.

"For the elections, we will seal up border including Seme and Idiroko. I have had meetings with the IGP of Benin Republic and also the Customs Chief. It is to prevent illegal arms from coming into Nigeria and also, mop up those in circulation.

"We have seized a total of 3,363 arms and 194,259 ammunition across the country. These discoveries are frightening. In just one raid alone in Jos, Plateau State, the police recovered seven general-purpose machine guns, eight SMG rifles, 11,101 rounds of ammunition, two dynamites, one axe, two hammers, one bicycle and two bullet-proof vests.

"In the 2007 elections, we will maintain a strong presence and will play the role of an unbiased umpire. The police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot do it alone. The Immigration Service has to intensify monitoring to avert trouble aimed at curtailing the elections. Presently, there are 386 aspirants and 725 policemen are needed.

"We now have more leverage and we will be able to act more than we did in the past. In the 2002 Electoral Act, the police played a subordinate role. We had a very minor role to play but all that has changed in the 2006 Electoral Act."

Senate President Ken Nnamani asked the IG how a known thug, who vandalised his vehicle on a state visit to Enugu could be charged to a magistrate court when he has vandalised a Federal Government property.

"The matter is coming up for hearing tomorrow (Thursday) in Enugu. As I?m talking now, the thug is out on bail. What guarantee do we have that there would be justice when the matter has been taken to a magistrate court, directly under the supervision of the governor and not a High Court?" he asked.

Ehindero said: "Mr President, I am afraid the problem we have is the problem of the law. The ambulance of the Senate president was damaged and we arrested the thug. The law is that he would be tried where the offence was committed, which is in Enugu. We can?t try him here in Abuja. Of course, they would grant him bail if the governor has interest. So, Mr President, my hands are tied by the law."

Nnamani rounded off with a plea to the IG to help unravel the political killings in the country and also ensure that the police are unbiased in the 2007 elections.

[Ete]

Imagine this garbage coming from the Police I-G. Why the hell does the Nigerian police need Armoured Vehicles? Are they planning on quelling a damn riot? This entire narration makes no sense to me. How do armed robbers advance in technique, skills, weaponry, etc in such speedy pace, but National law enforcement remain exactly the way they were 30 years ago? Now here it is. The one thing that really ticks me off, is that when you want to educate Nigerians on how things are done effectively elsewhere, they are so quick to counter that......"yes yes yes, we have it or we do it in Nigeria too".  Rather than keep quiet and listen to expert advice from people who know, they talk all over you and miss the point completely.

Going by what the IG has said, I wonder what he then proposes because it is apparent that the robbers are in control instead of law enforcement, and that is scary.  Given this environment of exteme insecurity, I wonder why Obj and Nigerian government keep talking about attracting foreign investors and tourism.  How ridiculous is that? The more they talk that crap, the more several countries puts Nigeria on their travel restrictions list because of safety concerns.  The Obj government keeps putting the cart before the horse in all their actions.  How embarassing is it for the Police IG to admit publicly that his men are not up to the task when it comes to performing their most basic task which is public safety/maintaining law and order.

Ok, I have an idea...Why not just employ the robbers into the police force. Insist that they become good citizens, give them immunity, and offer them some incentives so they'll perform their job with the same zeal in used in robbing people.

What do you all think?

[ummita]

So we have reached a phase where mankind no longer prays 4 safety ehn Ete? (she laffs) To give armed robbers power, will be opening Pandora?s Box!

I just hope u r being sarcastic. But if that comment is bona fide, then seriously Ete, reconsider. How can u insist that a person must by all means be a good citizen? I taught that was just a moral obligation. Instead, channelled through the spider web of law policies should be stringent consequences to any offender holding any capacity: be u a President or a street hoodlum. To be done away is inequality because accommodated in big Govt positions are some of the ?big boys?! The superior robbers should be pounced first then ?petty bad boys? can be clawed. Because as I see it, what makes news headline these days is X, Y & Z who are Govt officials have done away with horrendous amounts of money.

You suggested incentive. Are we talking monetary value? Because am thinking, won?t a regular armed robber use it to buy the best double barrelled shotgun or dagger? Plus, what kind of immunity are you talking about when ppl are seeking security against these same people. There?s more to that. To show a little empathy, most armed robbers start off due to misfortunes of life & they may have taken wrong turns & trusted their heads in their own plights. Motivational themes 2 gain media attention, money, drugs, & their biggest impetus financial need & materialistic desires, humiliation & deprivation are all key factors accelerating some of their callous act. Yrs they?ve studied?.only 2 end up as an NFO?s! High prices on things they touch is something they can?t always afford and then regarded rags amongst the riches. Cold promises & stupid govt policies that are harming successful development of the country is not what they voted for. What they need is good job opportunities, good education, excellent Govt policies, impartial law bodies, inflation & poverty crisis tackled & 2 me all sounds like an even better idea. Maybe then, we will see a dramatic drop on the statistics of armed robbery cases making news headlines.  

Now *Signs* Glory to our operating forces: law bodies, police, squads & other organisational units set up to tackle crimes. Though some have divorced their operational duties and have gotten married to foul acts. With assassinations of prominent members of the society on the increase, among the puzzles of suspects will be the name of another distinguished figure. Police forces have become very accustomed to bribery & corruption. ?Rodger me?, ?Rodger me? is the opening line of a random police officer on the road. Extremely unskilled, lacking the qualities of a police officer is what makes up some of the police units in Nigeria today. Dressed in honour uniforms, are men & a very few women (she laffs) who have taken oath to protect ppl and their finances but are the same persons abusing their authorities and fuelling all sorts of atrocious acts. Simply pick a regular policeman & ask him what does armed robbery, theft, burglary, or embezzlement mean? He will simply reply you with ?Ah oga Thiefing is Thiefing?. Some of them can't even differ criminal offences talkless of tackling armed robbery issues.  You may regard the Police IG's statements as garbage but at least we should give him credit for telling the truth. :lol:  His men are no match for ruthless armed robbers.

I had a good laugh at this though. Classic!!!

"The last time the police bought armoured tanks was in 1983. Because of lack of spare tyres, we had to buy Caterpillar tyres to replace the old ones.  

"One day, during a robbery attempt, armed robbers fired at the tyres and it (the armoured tank) could not move. In an ideal situation, it should not be so."

Right now, I am focused on the killing of Williams and Daramola; otherwise, I would lose focus. I need information. I need vital information on killer squads and we will arrest them wherever they are. I have written to the DG of SSS to give me the intelligence report that he has about these killer squads but I have not been given."
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[HUSNAA]

Is it any wonder that the police is ill equipped when tafa balogun has hogged all the billions meant for running the force efficiently?

[neozizo]

I don?t get what you are huffin? and puffin about Ete.
The IG is admitting that the force is ill-equipped,undermanned, underfinanced and underpaid which is all true.
He is also admitting that bank-robbers have superior fire-power and ability than the police which is also true.
Would you rather he lie and paint a contrary picture?
You wonder what the police need with an armored vehicle, well you should hear(i wouldnt wish u 2 witness one yourself] an eye-witness account of how these notorious dare-devil bank robbers operate in places like Lagos.

To me the annoying thing about the affair is that the lawmakers are more concerned about their safety than that of common citizens.

Now *Signs* Glory to our operating forces: law bodies, police, squads & other organisational units set up to tackle crimes. Though some have divorced their operational duties and have gotten married to foul acts. With assassinations of prominent members of the society on the increase, among the puzzles of suspects will be the name of another distinguished figure. Police forces have become very accustomed to bribery & corruption. ?Rodger me?, ?Rodger me? is the opening line of a random police officer on the road. Extremely unskilled, lacking the qualities of a police officer is what makes up ......

Well said.
Ummita wher u been enter ne?

[amira]

its a direct answer to the question may be the police are the robbers thats why they cant do much in conforting them......... don kada su tonawa yan uwansu asiri ko :roll: this is wat i tink, actually lemme not even get started bout this cos i can go on and on..........
nigerian police force they make me laugh sum times, but not dem all cos i know there wil be some determined to carry out their jobs...but only the majority of them are making naija suffer FOR GOODNESS SAKE cant they see how crime is dealt with in other countries, ppl are caught and suffer the consequences. if its bout equipment OBJ has d money to provide them with the equipment they need to sort out and carry out their task.

ps i was only skim reading the long posts cos am feelin kinda tired after a long day and hope this is related to the posts, if not then its another post for you guys to look into  :D .