By Ifeanyi Okolie

The Nigeria Police Force said plans were on the way to introduce  effective  policing and crime prevention curriculum  into the educational sector in order to prevent students of both secondary and tertiary institutions from getting involved in acts of criminality.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge  of Zone 2,  Muhammad Abubakar who made this known yesterday while speaking at a lecture  organized by Centre For Values and Social Change tagged “ Towards A People Friendly  Nigeria Police” said the police needed to reach out to younger Nigerians  to build a crime-free Nigerian society.

MD Abubakar represented the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr. Mike Okiro who was unavoidably absent.  He said,  “ The police are looking at ways of combatting  crime in our society, we believe that the younger people are the worse hit, and that makes them our potential target.

We are  looking at ways to assist in the ongoing re~branding of Nigerians by changing the mindset of  younger Nigerians.   This is why we  want to introduce policing, crime abstainer and anti- corruption crusade  in our educational cycle”.

The AIG added that the exercises will assist the police in recruiting less corrupt individuals  into the force.

Former Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Odita , a retired commissioner of police while delivering his paper blamed police woes on the dark days of military administration saying,  “ They did not make any effort to prepare the police for their new assignment since they will, on handing over, withdraw  their men along with fire power.

In this vein, some silent but restive criminally- inclined youths whose interpretation of democracy is freedom to take laws into their hands, unleash terror on defenceless citizens whose police are ill prepared to defend them.

The Ex-Commissioner of police however charged the Government with the role of providing the police with adequate  wherewithal to ensure efficiency, and putting effective criminal justice system in place, providing good governance and leadership.

The police, he said, needed to rediscover its self and redefine its role to the public whose vital input is necessary in security information management.

Vital Information for Vehicle Owners
Relevant papers private  vehicle drivers must be equipped with
(a)   Drivers License
(b)   Vehicle License
(c)    Insurance Papers
(d)    If your vehicle is tinted, you must have tinted glass permit

Relevant papers commercial vehicle drivers must be equipped with
(a)   Drivers License
(b)   Vehicle License
(c)    Insurance papers (either Comprehensive or a minimum of a third party Insurance)
(d)    Certificate of road worthiness
(e)     Hackney permit for bus drivers (permit that designate routes)
(f)     If your vehicle is tinted, it is advisable to get tinted glass permit.

However, commercial   vehicle operators (particularly intra-city) are advised to dismantle their tinted glasses for            security reasons.
For operators of unregistered vehicles (brand new or fairly used)
(a)    Drivers License
(b)    Other papers that will help to establish ownership of the vehicle

Note:   MOT is NOT part of the statutory documents police officers are expected to ask from   motorists

Advise to motorists that fall victims to frivolous demands by police men
(a) Call either the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander in~charge of where you were   arrested, Police Public Relations Officer or the Divisional Police Officer in the area.
(b) Tactically take note of the identity of the policeman that stopped you, the time you were stopped, the area and whatever inscription on the patrol vehicle that stopped you.