Why police remain ineffective, by IGP

Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu has explained why the Force is not as effective and efficient as it should be operationally.

Adamu spoke before the House Committee on Police Affairs on Tuesday while defending the 2019 Budget proposal of the Nigeria Police Force as well as reflecting on the performance and challenges experienced with the implementation of the 2018 Appropriation.

He said: “The Nigeria Police Force which I command today is a pivotal organ of government and the lead agency in internal security with a strength of 301,737 personnel (made up of Police, Traffic Wardens and Civilian Staff) as at 15th January 2019.

“It is stationed across the Federation (the Force Headquarters, 12 Zones, 37 States including the FCT, 224 Area Commands, 1,401 Divisions, 1,759 Police Stations and 3,846 Police Posts).

“This strength and spread are not static but continue to grow side by side with overall national growth and development. Unfortunately, these growth and development have over the years, not received commensurate funding.”

He said the Police are expected to live up to the billing to ensure internal security, which will attract investments, promote trade, industry and commerce for socio-economic development and growth.

According to him Nigeria is a large country with a huge population and policing a nation as large and diverse as Nigeria requires enormous funding.

He also told the lawmakers that for the force to maintain neutrality and avoid compromises in the performance of its statutory duties, it should obtain its funding requirements from constitutionally recognised sources.

“Presently, the Police depend on the government for the provision of funds for its day to day operations. However, the annual budgetary allocation to the Force especially with regards to Capital and Overhead Costs do not reflect the enormous size, scope of responsibility and actual needs of the Force.

“Arising from the limitations of funding occasioned by the budgetary constraint, most of the requirements that would enable the Force perform are never met.

“For instance, as against a capital budget estimate Of N342.9bn proposed for the 2018 fiscal year, the Force was given an appropriation of N25.2bn.”

He said despite the increasing security challenges it has to contend with, the funds given the Force are grossly inadequate.

This has stopped the Force from accomplishing its set objectives of providing necessary tools and infrastructure for the enhancement of its operational capacity and capability, he added

He pointed out lack of funds has affected Fuel cost for vehicles, aircraft and Marine boats; Maintenance of vehicles, aircraft, Office/Residential Buildings, Office Equipment, Communication Equipment.

Others affected, according to him, are Provision for Duty Tour Allowances, Office Stationery, Food Stuff including Feeding of Detainees in Police cells nationwide, Local and Foreign Courses and Payment of Insurance Premium

“This trend has also led to incurring of liabilities on completed projects. Furthermore, budget planning and executions have been rendered difficult,” Adamu said.

He urges the lawmakers to pass “the long awaited Police Reform Trust Fund Bill” pending before the National Assembly to bridge the funding gap in the operational and administrative needs of the Force

At this point, the members of the committee headed by Hon Lawal Abubakar were in agreement with the IGP on the paucity of funds.

They also promised to step up efforts to pass the Police Reform Trust Fund Bill”