BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI
Following public outcry and outrage that have greeted allegations of corruption, extortion and abuse of the bail process by the Nigeria Police Force in recent weeks, Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, yesterday, summoned all the heads of criminal investigations departments, both at Force Headquarters, Zonal commands and the States CID’s level to Abuja where he warned  them that enough was enough.

Addressing officers of criminal investigations departments that included Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police, Ringim said: “This is the first time a meeting of this magnitude, whereby I and the management team have to summon all the heads of criminal investigations departments from the Force headquarters, Zonal and State CIDs for such a parley.

Though it may be coming late, but it is better late than never. We are doing so to rid our country of crime and criminality even in our midst.

“With the elections over, the truth is that there is a lot of expectation from us (Police) as far as our respective performances are concerned. I have been receiving a lot of complaints bordering on your aspects of investigations. The complaints we have received border on non-performance in the discharge of your official duties, high-handedness from your respective selves and those under your care.

“In fact the major complaints against you are those of manipulation of facts and evidence, extortion from both complainants and the persons being complained against. And the issue of bail in particular is very contentious. The law says bail is free and everyone knows bail is free but many are denied bail for no just cause.”

Expatiating on seriousness of the complaints from the public, the IG said, “Many of you are in the habit of concluding cases brought by complainants against persons brought before you contrary to fairness in investigations which presume a person is innocent until proven guilty. But in some cases, the person is adjudged guilty even when investigations had not shown this is the case”

Informing the officers that “What we must do to change public perception of our activities is to be the true arbiters of justice for the oppressed, maltreated, help those who are denied their rights to get justice” the IG said, “your activities involve remedies in respect of the general public and you should be seen to do just that. Your activities also affect our image as a country hence you must prove your mettle”.

On steps to contain these criminal tendencies, Ringim said, “As you know, we have several internal mechanisms to check corruption and criminal acts like the X-Squad and the IGP monitoring unit but I must warn that henceforth, these mechanisms would be energized while new measures will be put in place to check these criminal investigations departments”.

“The Police does not hide or condone criminality. We are not afraid of being criticized provided it is genuine and constructive. We are the first among the entire civil service of this country that investigates its own, punishes its own and makes it public”.

Regarding incidences of extortion by policemen on checkpoints, the IG urged members of the public that are witnesses such shameful acts, to be courageous to forward with information, to help the force flush out such bad eggs.