Party wants implementation of police reform report

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties has asked the Federal government to implement the police service reform in order to address the shortfalls of the police as recently identified by the Inspector General of Police, Ogbonaya Onovo.

Mr. Onovo said the Nigeria Police requires a total overhaul and sanitisation of the force if it hopes to earn the credibility and regain the confidence of the citizens.

The Secretary general of the party, Willy Ezeugwu, said in a statement he released on Monday, that previous Inspectors General of Police were unable to categorically tell the government the truth as Mr. Onovo had done. He said this makes Mr. Onovo’s statement to deserve an immediate response from the Federal government.

“Now that the man who knows where the shoes pinches, a serving Inspector General of Police, has come out to tell the world the true state of affairs, then there is no need for further delays in dealing with the rot that has always been public knowledge,” Mr. Ezeugwu said.

The politician said a way of ensuring a revamped force was implementing the report of the Mohammed Yussuf- led police reform committee that was inaugurated by the President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The Inspector General of police also expressed much confidence in the report and called for its adoption and implementation.

Stop the politics

Mr. Ezeugwu said political interference in police administrative action need to stop so that the police leadership could tackle corruption and indiscipline in the force.

He called on the government to take the reform of the police seriously as security is very important.

“It is also important to stress that whatever improvement is being made in the Nigeria Police Force must be in place before the general elections of 2011,” Mr Ezeugwu said.

“If the people cannot have workable electoral laws, they should at least be assured of a police force that is apolitical, corruption free and civil in the sense that other democratic countries are used to.”