By Amos Tauna
The Nigeria Police Force has described the report on the front page of Vanguard Newspaper on the front page and page 10 of October 7, 2017 as a mirage of falsehoods, unfounded allegations and malicious intentions in the mind of the writer against the Nigeria Police Force.
A statement signed by the force PPRO, CSP JIMOH O. Moshood said, “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a report on the front Page & Page 10 of Vanguard Newspaper of October 7, 2017, of an interview credited to one Aisha Tosan and reported by Charles Kumolu, with sub headings; Emirs, Ministers, Senators influence Postings – Crime Fighter Boss, State Governors lobby for Commissioners of Police, IG’s friends enjoy special promotion, Hard working officers lose morale and
Buhari should save Nigeria from doom.”
The statement noted that the report was studied and found out to be misleading, unfounded and deliberate attempt to cast aspersion on the meritorious services to the Nation, Nigeria by some of the previous Inspectors General of Police and the current Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim k. Idris.
“The Force is constrained to respond to mirage of falsehoods, unfounded allegations and malicious intentions in the mind of the writer against the Nigeria Police Force and some of the successive Inspectors General of Police who served the Force and our dear Nation, Nigeria diligently without blemish throughout their careers.
“Though the Force considered it of less value to respond to unguided utterances and mischievous views expressed by a person that has been very close to the Force, a wife of a serving Commissioner of Police, who is an erstwhile Force Public Relations Officer, it is pertinent to disabuse the mind of Nigerians, most especially those who must have read the story and set the record straight.
“The Nigeria Police Force sees the whole interview and opinion expressed by Aisha Tosan in the report as entirely imaginary, shadowy and instigative allegations which if not responded to can brew disaffection between the personnel of the Force at this critical time that the morale of all officers and men of the Force is so much on high level prompting so many successes and achievements for the Force and the Nation in crime prevention and control throughout the country.
“It is suffice to state that all the allegations made in the interview by Aisha Tosan against the Inspector General of Police, previous IGPs and the Management Team of the Nigeria Police Force were all common place rumours and not back by facts and is not the practice in the Force.
“The Force wonders who Aisha Tosan is talking for and whose interest she is damaging to protect. There is no gain saying that Aisha Tosan has been patronizing the Nigeria Police Force for decades and of late married to a Commissioner of Police who has been running a very bright and responsible career in the Force, but alas and sadly Aisha Tosan conclusion on the Nigeria Police Force and its hierarchy is far from being objective to assist to make it function better, but one attack too many targeted at running down the administration of the Force and rubbish the enviable office of the Inspector General of Police past and present,” the statement explained.
It explained, “The fact remains that postings of officers in the Force are based on merit and the competence of the assigned officer to discharge its expected responsibility effectively and optimally, and not on any other consideration. Furthermore, transfers, redeployments and promotion in the Nigeria Police Force are administrative tools aimed at enhancing utmost efficiency and excellent service delivery of officers and men of the Force to Nigerians.
“The Police Act and Regulations, the Force Orders and Force Administrative Instruction, Public Service Rules and other enabling circulars and guidelines are strictly being complied with in the day to day running of the administration of the Force by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris.
“For avoidance of doubt, the Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police (Force Secretary) are functional and active members of the Nigeria Police Force Management Team. There is no any acrimony or bad blood within the management team as incorrectly stated by Aisha Tosan in the interview.”
The statement implored members of the public and Police personnel to discountenance the interview credited to Aisha Tosan as unfounded, baseless and a total falsehood to be disregarded by all and sundry, adding that the opinion expressed therein as fallacy which is not the practice in the Force.
The Nigeria Police Force assured the media of its support and continued cooperation in ensuring a crime free society and credible reportage. “The print media are enjoined not to allow the pages of their esteemed Newspapers to be used to champion campaign of calumny capable of causing disaffections in the Force or that can cast aspersions on the hard earned integrity of the leadership of the Force,” the statement advised.
It assured that the the Inspector General of Police would not be distracted or deterred from carrying out his statutory responsibilities for the benefit of the entire Police Personnel and the members of the general public.
News Editor