The Nigeria Police Force have dismissed seven
police officers attached to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rives State which it alleged
was involved in the rerun election held in the State recently.
This was announced today to
journalists by the spokesman of the Force DCP Don N. Awunah while briefing press men at the Police Headquarters in
Abuja.
This was
the full text of his briefing
Gentlemen of the press, you are welcome to today’s
press briefing at Force headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja. Let me also use
the opportunity to wish us all a happy new year.
Democratic Policing is one of the core values of
the current Police management under the leadership of IGP Ibrahim K. Idris,
NPM, mni. The IGP as an ardent apostle of the rule of law and adherent of
international best practices of Policing has since assumption of office articulated
a master plan to guarantee a reformed electoral process across the country.
This is a novel security template devoid of violence, electoral malpractices
and attendant destruction of lives and property which have been a recurring
decimal in previous elections in the country.
2. Undoubtedly, this master plan
as implemented by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies under
the auspices of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security,
(ICCES), has proved largely successful and should engender a credible roadmap
for the foot-proof security of future elections in Nigeria.
3. The IGP has also instituted
comprehensive measures to ensure compliance with strict rules of professional
behaviours and code of conduct for officers and men under his watch. To this
extent, they are under obligation to conform to the dictates of enabling laws
while carrying out their statutory responsibilities to the letter.
4. Consequently, personnel of
the Force who abuse their office, privileges and discretionary powers in the
discharge of their official duties, will be brought to justice.
5. In the case of the recent
parliamentary election in Rivers State, the IGP’s resolve to secure the
process, was reciprocated with the unethical conduct of some bad eggs within
the Force.
6. Inspite of strict warnings
and instructions from the IGP that all Police personnel on election duty should
be of good conduct and desist from escorting their principals, notably public
office holders and politicians to polling units throughout the period of the
election, some recalcitrant police personnel were still found blatantly
breaching these directives. This is unacceptable by all standards in the
Force.
7. Therefore, in the course of
discreet investigations into the above misconduct, the following personnel of
the Force were found to have in total disrespect to orders and directives,
compromised, engaged in unprofessional acts and other unbecoming conduct
8. These acts, if not checked can be
inimical to discipline and proper administration of the Force. Their actions
are capable of bringing the entire Nigeria Police Force to disrepute and
portray the Force in a very bad light as a lawless organization not guided by
the rule of law. The officers are as follows:
i. AP/No.177893 EX. Inspr.
Eyong Victor
ii. F/No. 400872 EX. Sgt
Peter Ekpo
iii. F/No.374585 EX.
Sgt Oguni Goodluck
iv. F/No. 385870 EX. Sgt.
Orji Nwoke
v. F/No. 234216 EX.
Sgt. Okpe Ezekiel
vi. F/No. 437983 EX. Sgt.
Tanko Akor
9. These aforementioned Police
personnel while in the convoy of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of
Rivers State Barr. Nyesom Wike on the date of election, 10th
December, 2016 misused the firearms in their possession contrary to the
provisions of Force Order 237.
The Service personnel became overzealous, took
laws into their hands and opened fire, causing panic in the crowd. They joined
in storming the Port Harcourt City Council Secretariat and prevented the
movement of election results of Emouha polling unit to the appropriate
collation centre designated by INEC, in flagrant disregard and disobedience to
senior Police officers present at the venue.
10. The
six (6) Police officers, after the conclusion of investigation into this public
mischief, were subjected to internal disciplinary measures, found guilty and
consequently dismissed from the Force. They will be prosecuted under the
Electoral Act to serve as a deterrent to others.
11. The IGP wishes to restate the commitment
of the force to carry out its constitutional obligations in accordance to the
law of the land before, during and after every election in Nigeria.
This will
be done in a very professional manner bearing in mind the need not only to be
unbiased but to be seen by members of the public as responsive and responsible
security agency in election security in the country.
12. Nigerians should rest assured that the
IGP and indeed the entire management team of the Force will not be deterred in
its resolve to rid the Nigeria Police Force of personnel who indulge in actions
or inactions that amount to unprofessional and serious misconduct.
13. The IGP commends all officers and men of
the Force for their dedication, commitment, sacrifice, hard work and display of
utmost professionalism in their service to the country despite daunting
challenges. Without doubts, our sacrifices and sincerity of purpose will
be commensurately rewarded.
Thank you for your time and God bless.
Tags
Politics