Now that IGP Idris is out… will order return?

Ibrahim Idris has finally bowed out as Nigeria’s inspector-general of police after a controversial tenure in office. While he held sway at the Louis Edet House for roughly three years beginning from March, 2016, the Nigeria police force was rated the worst in the world. Controversies trailed the Niger state-born officer; from the unimaginable to the utterly embarrassing.

The ex-IGP was in the mentions for many reasons and on several occasions, was criticised for portraying the force largely as an extension of Nigeria’s ruling party. Under him, officers’ welfare was perceived to be neglected while insecurity rocked every part of Nigeria so badly that thousands lost their lives. And guess what? His tenure earned the police force the ranking as the the worst in the world, according to the 2016 World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI)

So, what can you remember about the former police boss?

THE POLICE AS AN EXTENSION OF APC?

On several occasions, the police under Idris was perceived as an extension of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Who can forget the ongoing trial of Deji Adeyanju, an activist who has been vocal about the policies of the current administration, over alleged murder, an allegation he was acquitted of years ago. After two failed attempts to remand him in prison – with Adeyanju securing bail on those occasions – the police dusted off a case Mohammed Haliru, a judge of the Kano state high court, acquitted and discharged him and three others of in 2009.

And of course, that is never the case with those perceived as President Muhammadu Buhari’s cronies. Okoi Obono-Obla, senior special assistant to the president on prosecution, comes to mind, A house of representatives panel indicted him of allegations that he is in possession of an “invalid” O’level result which they said he might have used to forge his way into the University of Jos where he studied and subsequently, the Nigerian Law School. The police is yet to act till date, despite an order to that effect. Other instances abound but let me not bore you with too much talk.

POOR WELFARE FOR POLICEMEN

Officers of the police force had never protested like they did under Idris. From the commonest of issues such as their accommodation to the reported non-payment of their salaries and allowances. On one occasion, no fewer than 53 policemen serving in the Aso Rock presidential villa petitioned the president, saying they have not been paid their risk caution allowances since 2015. Another instance was when some officers deployed to help fight insurgency in Borno state took over the streets over the non-payment of their allowances. One of them later told TheCable that their superiors hijacked the said allowances. But the police later blamed the incident on delay of the passage of the 2018 budget.

During a visit to the force headquarters, TheCable discovered that “to save diesel for night duty”, officers were left to work in darkness as a result of power outage – who would believe such can happen in the 21st century.

HERDSMEN CRISIS, BANDITRY

Under Idris, violent attacks and counter-attacks involving herdsmen and farmers across the country continued, this time  even at a deadlier rate. Like it was before he assumed office, the crisis remained a leading cause of death in the country, more than the Boko Haram insurgency.

Between 2016 and December 2018, at least 3,641 Nigerians were killed in conflicts between herdsmen and farmers, according to Amnesty International, an international human rights watchdog, and – you wouldn’t believe, some citizens were reportedly made to settle policemen before they could come for their rescue.

A DISOBEDIENT  IGP

While Benue was burning, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the IGP to relocate to Benue to restore order in the state. But guess what? The IGP never spent about 24 hours in the state before leaving.

Buhari was in the state when he learnt about the development during a town hall meeting. In shock, the president had told the gathering: “I’m not aware that the I-G did not spend 24 hours in the state as directed by me, I am getting to know in this meeting.”

For an IGP that shunned senate summon for at least three times, that was perhaps no big deal. And not even a query came out it; probably because this is Nigeria where anything goes.

THE ‘NOT AWARE’ SYNDROME

The police under the former IGP was never aware of anything and denied about every claim that did not favour them, including the reported dismissal of over 100 police officers who absconded from duty in the north-east.

On October 22, police officers accompanied Usman Yusuf, executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to office, amid a lock down by workers of the agency. Pictures and videos of the officers with Yusuf emerged but would you believe the police denied being involved in the incident?

Back in March, operatives of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) had laid siege to a high court in Abuja to arrest Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west. But, like you may have guessed, the police also claimed they were not aware of the incident. In December, policemen invaded the senator’s residence to effect an arrest but – exactly – the police authorities claimed they were not aware of the invasion.

Thankfully, the IGP is aware his tenure has expired and that a new police chief has taken over. Thankfully, because, we wouldn’t want a situation where two police IGPs report to work at the Louis Edet House.

Chinedu Asadu is a senior reporter covering politics and development at TheCable.