The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the comprehensive auditing of the arms, ammunition and exhibits in police stations across the country, our correspondent has learnt.
The IGP’s decision to carry out the auditing, it was gathered, followed the high incidence of sudden disappearance of arms and ammunition in the care of some policemen, especially the armourers.
Our correspondent learnt that the exercise became imperative following recent discovery by the authorities that some policemen had formed the habit of conniving with criminals to violate the enabling laws guiding the discharge of their statutory responsibilities and operations.
A competent source said that some policemen had been found “compromising integrity and allegiance to the nation and the force in the course of performing their constitutional roles.”
According to the source, the indicted policemen, numbering over 20 reportedly, “used their official capacities to carry out or get involved in conducts capable of ridiculing the force in the eyes of the members of the public by violating the official oath of office”.
It was also learnt that these indicted policemen were arrested, methodically interrogated through internal disciplinary measures and punished according to the gravity of their offences.
“Their unacceptable professional misconduct, which the police authorities branded as aiding and abetting serious crimes, conspiracy with militants, and disappearance of explosives from armoury, formed the core of the auditing,” a source said.
Amongst several police officers whose cases have yet to be determined by the authorities include: ASP Yuguda Abbah, Sgt Habila Sarki, Diphen Nimmyel, Sgt Yasan Danda, Sgt Abbas Mailalle, ex-Sgt Bwanason Tanko, Sgt Donan James, Corporal Idris Salisu, and Corporal Zakari Kofi, Sgt Musbahu Yahaya, Sgt Ugenlo Sylvester, Sgt Musa Umar and ex-Corporal Omale Edicha.
The interrogation and confessions of the now dismissed policemen also led to the arrest of principal suspects and recovery of many arms and ammunition.
Force Headquarters sources hinted that the following suspects were hauled into police net following the voluntary confessions of the indicted policemen; Mayo Chadi Aliyu, Atiku Ibrahim, Ali Mohammed, Abdulrahman Umar, Umar Daudu, Ibrahim Umar, Ibrahim Mallam, Adamu Lolo, Suleiman Buba, Ahmed Adamu, Gidado Garba, Sani Dan Alhaji, Inusa Mohammed, Mohammed Wari, Mohammed Rabiu, Hammadu Abdullahi, Umar Adamu,, Idi Juye and Yusuf Abdullahi.
Said to have been recovered from the outlawed include the following; Fourteen AK 47 rifles with numbers intact, 3 other AK 47 rifles with numbers etched out, one pump action, one locally made pistol, 42 empty magazines, 363 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition, 71 K2 live ammunition, and 25 live cartridges.
Force spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Moshood Jimoh, confirmed to our correspondent that, “all the allegedly erring policemen had since been shown the way out of the Force preparatory to prosecution”.
Jimoh added that the IGP would not tolerate unethical behaviours, adding that several others found wanting at their duty posts were still under trial at the various units designated for such purposes.
“Policemen are expected to, at all time, exhibit a high degree of integrity, discipline and honesty,” he said.
