By Dele Ogbodo
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, yesterday said the federal government released only N10 billion
both for its capital and overhead cost in 2017.
The IG who made the disclosure at the 9th general assembly of traditional rulers and stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt, said the Mallam MD Yesuf reform committee set up by government in 2008 recommended N560 billion annually for the police to perform optimally.
He said: “However in 2017 only about N10 billion naira was released to the Police for both capital and overhead cost. This amount is a far cry from the amount estimated to make the Police effective.”
He expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari, and the National Assembly are currently exploring alternative sources of funding for the Police.
The IG said, the Police trust fund bill has passed through the second reading in both Houses of the National Assembly, adding that it is hoped that when the bill is passed into law the funding needs of the Police will be adequately addressed and the Nigeria Police may be one of the best in the world.
“I therefore seek your supports in appealing to your subjects in the National Assembly to see to the quick passage of the Bill.
“My success stories in the fight against crime and criminality so far in our various communities cannot be told without the support of the Traditional Rulers and their Institutions.
“It is not possible to mention all my achievements since my appointment as the Inspector-General of Police on the 22nd of June 2016 especially in the fight against insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery, Cattle rustling and other heinous crimes across the length and breadth of this country.
“The incidents of Kidnappings in the South-South, South East and South West have also been minimised. In the month of December and January alone, the Police arrested over 200 Kidnappers, Armed Robbery and Cattle Rustling Suspects in various parts of the Country. In this same period over 100 AK 47 Rifles, 20 English made pistols, 10 SMG Rifles, and over 700 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm and 9.19mm calibers of ammunition respectively, were recovered from the
“We are gradually approaching the primaries leading to the 2019 general elections. I am quite confident that in the coming primaries and elections, the Police will continue to do their best to eliminate violence. We will continue to perfect the art of elections security in Nigeria. The Traditional Rulers and their Institutions have very important roles to play to reduce violence and thuggery in our elections.” he said.