Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris on Wednesday said that the Police headquarters will soon organize a national security summit on kidnapping.
The IGP, who disclose this at a meeting with DIGs, AIGs, and States Police Commissioners, said there was also the need for the federal government to ensure that the ratio of 1 policeman to 400 Nigerians is met for better policing.
“The other issue is funding for the police. Like I have said, instead of creating new security outfits every now and then, the police should be properly funded and more men recruited and trained because at the end of the day, it is the police everybody runs to.
On what is being done to address security challenges particularly armed robbery, kidnapping and others, the IGP noted that eight (8) new Police Bases for Special Protection forces will be established in the country in the next few weeks pointing out that they will take over protection of VIPs from Mobile Police personnel in the country, so that the MOPOL will be deployed to protect the citizens.
Aside the new bases for the Special Protection units, the IGP said two new MOPOL Squadrons have been established in Kafanchan and Minna in Kaduna and Niger States to help tackle challenges of Fulani herdsmen/farmers clashes and Cattle Rustlings.
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“Furthermore, I want to disclose that five states, Plateau, Enugu, Taraba and Cross Rivers among others have offered to build new MOPOL Squadrons in their states to help checkmate challenges of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers clashes and other serious crimes
Giving further details of efforts at tackling kidnapping in particular, the IGP said, “The summit on kidnapping will be in partnership with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders, security agencies and every Nigerian. Whether it is the DSS, Police, Army, it will be a joint effort because all hands must be on deck to tackle these issues.
“This is what we are talking about community policing. It involves everybody. These people live among us or pass through our communities. We have a duty to inform security agencies about the movement of these people before they commit these havocs.
Commenting on issues of prosecution which many people believe was lacking thereby encouraging kidnapping and other crimes, the IGP said, “Henceforth, we will pursue the area of prosecution more vigorously. We will ensure that suspects arrested for kidnapping are taken to the courts and the prosecution process will be given adequate publicity to ensure the public and criminals see the punishment associated with these crimes.
“I assure you that those involved in the kidnapping of the Isheri students and their teachers and those involved in the kidnaping of the Isheri landlords who have been arrested, will be taken to court soon. We will ensure that their prosecution is diligently pursued and the punishment they deserve will be made public for others to learn their lessons.”
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