IGP commences probe of Arase, over missing Police vehicles, promotion irregularities
Mon Jul 18, 2016 11:46:am National
2.2K By Buchi Obichie
Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, at an interaction with journalists on Sunday, disclosed that investigations had commenced into the disappearance of many vehicles parked at Force Headquarters, a week to his appointment.
According to Idris, preliminary investigations into the matter showed that the former IGP, Solomon Arase (retd.) alone took 24 vehicles, while some of the retired Deputy Inspector-Generals of Police also went away with quite many.
Idris said the former IGP was entitled to only four vehicles, and the Police had written to him (Arase) to return the others.
In his words: "A week before I was announced, when you look through my office window, you could see so many cars. But the cars all disappeared when I came in.
'What I did was to assign a directive to the Special Investigative Unit, SFU, for them to investigate all vehicles' purchases and donations to the police in the last three years.
"When I took over, there were no vehicles. I discovered that the last IG went away with 24 vehicles, including two BMWs.
'The DIGs took seven, others eight. And they left me with an old vehicle. Even the one I follow the President with the last time I went for an engagement, the President asked what I was doing with that kind of vehicle.
'The headlight has changed colour, which means it was parked for long under the rain. But the new ones that were bought, including an Armoured BMW 7 series, he took them away. So, I wrote to him and reminded him of the need to return the vehicles.
'When a policeman retires as IG, DIG, AIG or CP he is entitled to some vehicles. And so, he should take his entitlement and return the extra. I believe four vehicles are enough for an average person. What does one need 24 vehicles for?"
The IGP also assured Police Officers that due diligence would be followed for promotions, as he disclosed that the force had concluded plans to investigate the previous irregularities in the exercise.
Recalling that he had spent five years as Commissioner of Police while some of his juniors were promoted above him, Idris said he could identify with those who had been marginalized by the promotion exercise.
According to Idris, preliminary investigations into the matter showed that the former IGP, Solomon Arase (retd.) alone took 24 vehicles, while some of the retired Deputy Inspector-Generals of Police also went away with quite many.
Idris said the former IGP was entitled to only four vehicles, and the Police had written to him (Arase) to return the others.
In his words: "A week before I was announced, when you look through my office window, you could see so many cars. But the cars all disappeared when I came in.
'What I did was to assign a directive to the Special Investigative Unit, SFU, for them to investigate all vehicles' purchases and donations to the police in the last three years.
"When I took over, there were no vehicles. I discovered that the last IG went away with 24 vehicles, including two BMWs.
'The DIGs took seven, others eight. And they left me with an old vehicle. Even the one I follow the President with the last time I went for an engagement, the President asked what I was doing with that kind of vehicle.
'The headlight has changed colour, which means it was parked for long under the rain. But the new ones that were bought, including an Armoured BMW 7 series, he took them away. So, I wrote to him and reminded him of the need to return the vehicles.
'When a policeman retires as IG, DIG, AIG or CP he is entitled to some vehicles. And so, he should take his entitlement and return the extra. I believe four vehicles are enough for an average person. What does one need 24 vehicles for?"
The IGP also assured Police Officers that due diligence would be followed for promotions, as he disclosed that the force had concluded plans to investigate the previous irregularities in the exercise.
Recalling that he had spent five years as Commissioner of Police while some of his juniors were promoted above him, Idris said he could identify with those who had been marginalized by the promotion exercise.
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