Opinion

IGP Alkali And The Practice Of Polished Police Policy

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2021

By Bala Ibrahim.

For the police to police properly, the need for a polished policy of policing is paramount, and precisely that seems to be the plan of Alkali Usman Baba, the 21st indigenous Inspector General of Police. In Nigeria today, security operatives, particularly the police, are facing new and daunting challenges daily, that range from confronting their own original or historical mandate, to facing increasingly organized criminal networks, under a situation of diminishing morale.

Although successive leaderships of the Nigeria police have made different attempts at confronting these challenges, the problems seem to be mutating from minor to major, or even bad to worse.

Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom and now violent attacks in the south east, are arguably Nigeria’s greatest security threats in the year 2021. Local groups, allegedly with international terror links are embedded in the north west, while politically influenced separatists are being used to disturb the peace of the south east, and to some extent, the south west.

Their activities, believed by some as politically motivated because of the desire for power shift come 2023, foment local conflicts and enable organized crime rackets to wreck havoc on the already heated and politically tensed landscapes.

Because years of security interventions have not completely dislodged the insurgents, even though there are improvements in some areas, the need for new initiatives that would include local approaches and incorporate tactics beyond kinetic counterterrorism, would surely help in arresting the escalation of crime and criminality in the country.

Buhari appoints Baba Ag. IGP

It is in the pursuit of a lasting solution to these problems, that since he assumed office about a fortnight ago, Ag. IGP Alkali has been on his toes, working on ways for reshaping and redefining the purpose and operations of the Nigeria police.

Sequel to other security meetings he held with other strategic commanders, IGP Alkali had another one yesterday, Thursday 15/04/21, this time around with the Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police and other Heads of Police Formations in the country. The principal purpose of course is to unveil his policing vision and how best to confront terrorism, insurgency and other serious violent crimes.

Perhaps because of his wide experience and exposure, especially with regards to democratic policing, Alkali is ambitious in giving the Nigeria police a more polished and humane face, as an organization that is saddled with the responsibility of dealing with threats, without necessarily abusing or violating the rights of the accused.

Particularly important to him it seems, is how does the police prioritise the protection of human rights in the country and how do they hold themselves and other security forces accountable, so that they do not themselves become catalysts for further abuse?

Sometimes addressing these challenges becomes more complex, when responses to such criminal activities like banditry, terrorism or insurgent activities occur in civilian spaces, as the police are expected to provide the investigative capacity required to hold the terrorist suspects accountable.

According to CP Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, the highlights of the new policing vision include:

1.Deploying cutting-edge policing technology and integrating intelligence-led policing practices to core policing functions, with a view to strengthening police capacity to stabilise the internal security order and restore public confidence in the Force. The new policing vision equally seeks to, among other things, give full effect to the concept of community policing and deliver quality police service that will be guided by the principles of public accountability and conformity to the rule of law. It will also embrace the social content of policing in which police officers see themselves as compassionate servants and helpers of the citizens.

2. The IGP stated that the meeting with the Strategic Commanders was convened to discuss strategies to roll-back the unacceptable security tide occasioned by the increasing threat to internal security by terror elements, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbery syndicates and arms traffickers.

3. The IGP reassured citizens that the Force under his leadership shall evolve a new policing culture where police officers will uphold the rights of the people and work within professional standards. He expressed confidence that in the shortest possible time, the new policing vision and operational strategies would return our beloved nation to the path of public safety, security and peace.

4. Meanwhile, as part of the Force reorganizational plans to ensure that its units operate only in the context of their original mandates and remain human rights compliant, humane and people-driven, the IGP has ordered the immediate reforms of the IGP Monitoring Unit and the disbandment of all its satellite offices across the country.

By coincidence, IGP Alkali’s polished policing policy on improving the future of the police, was unveiled on a day coinciding with the return of PMB from a medical trip abroad, and also the day that Facebook is posting a flashback, on a remark I made on a day like this, in 2016. A portion of it goes thus:

“It was General William Booth who said, You cannot improve the future without disturbing the present. While in China, before his return home today, PMB made a pronouncement, to the effect that, he is going to disturb the present condition of vandals in Nigeria, in order for the country to have an improved living condition in future. The announcement was a direct response to the rampant activities of pipeline vandals and other saboteurs, whose hallmark is regular rascality, that results in frequent power failure in Nigeria. PMB said his government would henceforth treat them like the Boko Haram insurgents.”

The President is also back now, and the new IGP was on the ground to receive him. Whatever action the President took to address the militancy in the Niger delta then, I think it should be replicated in the south east. And the time is now, that the country has a brand new and vibrant IGP, in the person of Alkali Usman Baba.

Opinion

The Wike ,I never Expect-Abba Hamisu

Published

1 day ago

June 14, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Abba Hamisu

Glad to be a resident of Abuja the Federal Capital Territory FCT,glad to have Nyesom Wike as FCT Minister .

Yes in past nine years particularly from 2014 to 2022 I frequently visit Abuja from Kano mostly by air as one of my clients that I provide TV content for them paid the bill on weekly basis together with one or two of my workers at Time Base TvAfrica ,but from the Airport to my hotel all I see then was dust plus harders walking freely around some of the strategic areas of the city .

But with coming of the former Rivers State Governor Wike who mostly perceived to be a stubborn politician ,things have suddenly change overnight.

What I mean by overnight is that the man have change the face of Abuja within one year. I am proud with this development and appreciate the support of Dr. Bunkure ,the State Minister of FCT who was the former Commissioner for Higher Education in Kano State from 2019 to 2023.

With out bothering you much ,what really passionate me about this man is the completion of the Abuja Metro rail which was initiated during the second tenure of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Serial FCT Ministers couldn’t complete this project but Wike did. From Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the National Stadium down to Edu rail station up to the Central area ,the main Metro stations,was a lovely journey,free of charge for all passengers including me on 7th June 2024 .And according to the plan ,the train will be free up to December 2024.

So Abuja residents like me and Visitors have every right to enjoy this giant project of Wike.

Congratulations Abuja residents and Nigerians by Extension.

My hope is to see Kano light rail soon ,forget about politics ,Governor Yusuf should learn from Wike ,as Prophet of Islam (S A.W ) said “Wisdom is the property of a pious man ,he should pick it where ever he see’s it”.

Kano need modern transportation system fly overs and under passes alone can not provide the needed solutions.

Abba Hamisu Sani ,is the CEO Time Base TvAfrica/Nigerian Bureau Chief Africa Press and the National Coordinator Society For Patriotic Journalism.

Opinion

Federal Government Agents Must Uphold the Law, Not Cause Havoc in Kano

Published

2 days ago

June 14, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Emir Of Kano Muhammadu Sunusi II

By Turaki Abubakar

The recent turmoil surrounding the emirship throne in Kano is distressing and alarming. I am compelled to speak out against the blatant disregard for the law and moral integrity by federal government agents and certain political factions.

Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf has signed into law a decision that deposed the five emirs, effectively reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano. However, federal security institutions, including the Nigerian Army, Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS), are allegedly working against the implementation of this law, undermining the state’s legal authority.

The complicity of former Governor Ganduje and his camp in this legal defiance is evident. They are abusing the judicial process by rushing to federal courts in Abuja for matters that should be under the exclusive jurisdiction of state high courts. This is a dangerous precedent for federal overreach into state matters.

It is shameful and degrading for institutions like the Nigerian military, police force, and DSS to be allegedly compromised in this manner. Their involvement in this unconstitutional stand-off is a direct affront to the resolutions passed by the Kano State House of Assembly and signed into law by Governor Abba.

The jurisdictional issues are clear. State high courts have exclusive jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, not federal courts. The Federal High Court has overstepped its bounds by entertaining cases related to the emirship that are the purview of state courts.

I urge senior lawyers, citizens, and all those with a conscience to speak out against this encroachment on Kano’s autonomy and legal integrity. The law must take its rightful place. Aminu Ado Bayero is no longer the Emir of Kano, and unless the law is repealed and his appointment reversed, Muhammadu Sanusi II remains the duly appointed Emir.

In conclusion, the federal government must refrain from encouraging impunity and ensure that its agents respect the rule of law. The institutions responsible for maintaining law and order should not be used as tools for political maneuvering and unconstitutional actions. It is high time that the federal government upholds the principles of justice and legality, allowing Kano State to govern its affairs without undue interference.

Opinion

Governor Yusuf’s One Year: How Pensioners Were Saved from Grass to Grace

Published

4 days ago

June 12, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Of Kano State

By Emmanuel Pascal

As an ardent follower of Nigerian politics for years and a former resident of Kano before settling in my hometown, I found it extremely important to write about one of the key achievements of the Governor of my second native state, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a governor who was elected by the masses to right the wrongs of Dr. Ganduje administration.

When we were growing up as kids in Kano, our parents, who worked as contractors for the Kano State Government’s civil service, would tell us how progressive politics made Kano different from other Nigerian states.

By the time old age forced our parents to leave the state, some of us who were born there continued to keenly follow the political trends in Kano.

I was discussing with my father, who has been retired for many years. He was telling me how the former APC administration in Kano created artificial poverty among the state’s teeming pensioners. I said, “Baba, that is an old story now. Do you know the red cap revolutionaries in Kano politics, led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, have stopped that and have since cleared the backlog of pensions and arrears?”

I continued to highlight some of the achievements my father was interested in, and the conversation continued like this.

By prioritizing the well-being of retirees, his administration efforts in settling all outstanding pension arrears for those who dedicated their lives to public service, has provided much-needed financial stability in the state. This has helped in reducing the burden of uncertainty, allowing retirees to enjoy their golden years with dignity.

His administration also halted unnecessary deductions from the salaries of state workers and retirees. He ensured that their hard-earned wages remain intact, establishing trust and goodwill among civil servants in order to boost their morale and enhance productivity.

Within his one year in office, Pensioners who had waited patiently for years finally received their due. He earmarked N11 billion to demonstrate the state government’s commitment to fulfilling part of the promises made to its retirees.

Governor Abba’s administration also ensured that the families of deceased civil servants receive their rightful benefits. By settling death benefits and gratuities, his administration acknowledges the sacrifices made by these individuals and provides much-needed support during difficult times.

Father, apart from that, he has since introduced biometric capture of the pensioners in order to flush out ghost ones from them.

He also ensured that he renovated the staff office at Audu Bako Secretariat and stopped the deduction of salary of staff of the pensioners.

When I finished, Baba said that is wonderful, and he even told me he has a friend who was a retired permanent secretary in Kano. He said for his monthly pension under the former APC administration, the sum of 50 thousand Naira was being deducted from his salary, which has now stopped under Governor Abba’s administration.