IGP: IPOB is proscribed — we expect nobody to belong to the group

Alkali Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), says the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) remains proscribed, and as such, nobody is expected to belong to the group.

Speaking with journalists after he was confirmed by the police council on Friday in Abuja, Baba said the force will deal with law offenders.

“There are peculiarities, like I said before, in the south-east and south-south is the issue of secessionist agenda championed by IPOB, I also talked about terrorism and religious bigotry in the north-east,” he said.

“I also talked about the issue of kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and cultism as it affects the north-central and north-west and south-west. I gave a synopsis in terms of what we are doing to address this situation.

“I also thanked Mr President for providing additional logistics in terms of carrying out our duties and responsibilities.

“In collaboration with other security agencies, we try to checkmate other forms of lawlessness, criminality and unlawful agitation in order to ensure lives and property are saved and at the same time allow Nigerian citizens go about their lawful business.

“What is seriously worrisome in the south-east, but it is gradually being checked and results are positive as regards the attacks and killings of security agents and assets belonging to the federal government.

“Our ability to checkmate this lawlessness has improved and we are getting closer to something positive.

“The issue is IPOB is a proscribed organisation and we expect nobody to belong to the IPOB. Thuggery is an offence and anyone will be dealt with according to the law. They are all offenders.

“It’s just like me differentiating between an armed robber and a thug. It’s the level of crime that matters. There is no way we can say this is IPOB or a thug, it all depends on the level of crime.”

Baba said the federal government has put some mechanism in place to improve police operations in the country.

He added that there is a need to recruit more people into the force to strengthen the workforce.