…IGP bans operatives from criminal investigations
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali has ordered the immediate closure of IGP Monitoring Unit offices in Lagos and Port Harcourt in order to reorganize the unit to meet its original mandate.
Alkali has also banned operatives of the Unit from undertaking criminal investigations including taking over cases from State Commands.
According to the IGP at a meeting he held with commissioners of police in Abuja, he said the move has become necessary to enable the reorganization of the force in order for it to serve its original mandate which is to investigate complaints of professional infractions that may be alleged against any serving officer.
“In furtherance to our Force reorganization plans as well as our commitment to return to the basics in policing, I have directed the immediate reform of the IGP Monitoring Unit.
- Advertisement -
READ ALSO: 6 things we know about new IGP Usman Alkali
“This involves the disbandment of the satellite offices of the Unit in Lagos and Port Harcourt, the streamlining of the personnel profile of the Unit at the Force Headquarters to not more than fifty (50) operatives, and the banning of the Unit from undertaking criminal investigations including taking over cases from State Commands.
“Under the current dispensation, the Unit will only operate within their original mandate which is to investigate complaints of professional infractions that may be alleged against any serving officer and as may be referred to them by my Office. Similar repositioning initiatives are being worked out in relation to other ad hoc investigative Units in the Force.
“This is with a view to restoring professionalism, address citizens’ concerns on rights abuses resulting from the existence and operations of these ad hoc police investigation Units, and to discourage duplication of police functions in a manner that encourages indiscipline and abuse of police process”. He said.
- Advertisement -
Recall that, Police Service Commission, Chairman, Musiliu Smith yesterday called on the IGP to check the proliferation of police investigating units stating that the units were bringing huge embarrassments to the force.