N5.5b housing scam: IGP promises to punish erring officers

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris yesterday vowed to deal with officers indicted in the N5.5 billion unfulfilled police housing scheme.

He gave the assurance while responding to a question by a chief superintendent of Police (CSP) during his interactive session with personnel at his maiden visit to Lagos.

The CSP said officers in 2006 paid N510,000 each, amounting to N5.5 billion for housing slots at the Police Estate, Idimu.

He said 10 years after, the subcribers were yet to either get their accommodation nor money back.

Idris, who expressed displeasure at the development, promised that investigation will be conducted, and those found culpable will be prosecuted.

“We are going to run a transparent government. Nobody is going to be shortchanged. As a transparent institution, we have responsibility over you. Do not keep quiet when you are being shortchanged. Complain.

“The money belongs to you. It is your right. So, you should not keep quiet. You needed the house than most of us because you are the one doing the work. You are the one in the streets, working under rain and shine.

“So, you are the face of the police, not us because most times we are in our offices. You are the police, that is the reality. It is our duty to give you what belongs to you.

“I can assure you that this will be investigated. We will look into it and deal with everyone indicted. They will also be prosecuted.

“A policeman should own a house. We are going to provide affordable houses that you can pay up the mortgage within six years.”

On stagnated promotion, the IGP advised officers on same rank for 10 years to write officially for elevation to their rightful positions.

“If you have been on a rank for 10 years without promotion and have met all requirements, please, apply for your promotion. It is your right and it means the system has shortchanged you.”

On the menace of militants, the IGP said plans were under way to ensure visibility policing on the waterways, from Lagos to Calabar.

He said the Lagos State governor promised to provide gunboats and logistics for the marine police.

“We want to adopt visibility policing. It is not just in Lagos but also down to Calabar. I spoke with the governor and he talked about providing gunboats. We discovered that there are not enough policemen on the waterways. We are going to enhance the Marine Police and we will deploy more officers on the waterways to serve as deterrence.”

The IGP said he mandated all commands and divisions to establish Eminent Persons’ Forum (EPF) to meet once in three months and share ideas on how to improve security in their areas.

“Policing is everyone’s business, that is why we are soliciting the support and cooperation of the people. The ratio of police to the people in Nigeria is quite low and so, we expect all to act as policemen where there’s no police.

“The EPF is a community approach to solve security problems in communal crises. We believe it will assist us because most communal problems are based on suspicion and lack of trust.

Idris also directed divisional police officers to treat petitions to them within 30 days.

“It is compulsory for petitions to the division to be treated within 30 days. Any petition against an officer should be investigated.

“We are going to reactivate the X-Squad. We have to restore the respect of the police. We must be an accountable police force and responsive. A police force that has no integrity it is not a police force. That should be our watchword.

“You must be contented with what you have and manage it well. Do not use your power to arrest people because anyone who does that has violated the oath he took as an officer. It is compulsory for the police to partner the community because through partnership, issues are resolved. We must know that we are servants to the people. We are being paid to protect the people, and not to hurt them.

We must be humane, accountable to the law and our creator.”

The IGP warned policemen not to meddle in land matters, and protect the vulnerable populace, especially women, children and the elderly.