Politics
I am disappointed in the police- Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his dissatisfaction with the state and performance of the Nigeria police.
President Buhari said it is unfortunate that the military has been performing the role of the police.
“I have a problem with the police and I told them that, from my training and experience, the police are supposed to be in the front line.
“Now, Nigerians are seeing soldiers on the streets. This is not good for the Police and I told them this some months ago,” he said.
Buhari also spoke about state police. He said he does not believe state police is practicable for most states in Nigeria.
He said even though the idea is a good one, the financial status of many Nigerian states will make it almost impossible to successfully implement.
“It may be more efficient, which was why I congratulated the governor of Lagos State (Akinwunmi Ambode) when he started the Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps. It’s a good initiative,” the president said in a recorded interview aired on Arise TV on Monday night.
He, however, noted that unlike Lagos, many Nigerian states would be unable to bear the financial burden.
He said, “Lagos State is richer than the Federal Government. How many states are there that can pay salaries and you now ask them to go and form state police?
“And, do you know what can happen if you can’t feed the Police? Do you just give him uniform and a gun but can’t pay him salaries for six months?
“It’s going to be a problem and I don’t want to be a part of it.”
Buhari also spoke about the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, who has just completed the mandatory 35 years of service, warranting retirement.
There have been speculations that Buhari might extend his tenure.
Asked about this, Buhari said, “I don’t think I’m afraid of him. I will take action.”
Read also: Amid rumours of planned post-retirement tenure extension, IGP Idris meets Buhari
The President commented on the performance of the service chiefs and whether or not he is considering replacements.
He said he has not changed the service chiefs at this time because it is an emergency and the typical “competition within the service” with such a move would jeopardise ongoing efforts against insecurity.
Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Defence Staff; Tukur Yusufu Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, Ibok-EteIkwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff; and Sadique Baba Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, have had their tenures extended twice.
Buhari said, “the head [him] has to be very careful because you don’t know [the] ambition of the ones coming up.”
He conceded that the performance of the service chiefs may have been disappointing but that he takes responsibility for not changing them.
“My understanding of security is that, when you have a case of emergency, you have to be careful, with tampering with the head of services. This is again one of my personal experiences. I have been a governor, I have been a minister, I have been a head of state, I came back, I tried to come back to this office three times but lucky on the fourth time,” Buhari said.
“I am measuring the options critically, when you have a case of emergency, if you don’t wait for an appropriate time to do it, then you create competition within the service, there are so many ambitious people waiting, only one man can be chief of army staff in the army, only one man can be the inspector-general of police. Don’t forget that it was this administration that appointed all the three.”
“I didn’t know them on [a] personal basis, I followed records and thought I picked the best then, of course, their performance may be disappointing but I accept responsibility for not changing them. My reason is based on my own experience.”
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