Arms smuggling: Police ready to collaborate with custom to burst syndicates

Worried by the persistent influx of cache of arms and ammunition into the country, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, yesterday, said that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) was ready to partner with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in order to check the international syndicate behind the illegal importation of weapons into the country from Turkey.

This was also as Idris reiterated his promise to improve the welfare of police officers, so that they would be more professional and efficient in their duties.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, Lagos week, alleged that some Nigerians based in Turkey were behind the illegal importation of about 2,671 pump action guns that were impounded recently by Customs operatives.

Idris, who said these statements at the commissioning of President Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate, at Agemuwo area of Badagry, added that the police was already investigating the issue of fire arms.

The IGP who expressed concern over the frequency of importation said that the Police High Command was keeping close watch on the issue. He said that the Customs High Command was yet to inform the force officially on the issue, he added that the matter bordered on national security.

He said: "The Comptroller General of Customs had made a broadcast on the seized arms. The police as a security agent will join force with the Nigeria Customs Service to investigate the source of the arms and we will ensure that those behind the illegal importation do not go Scott-free, no matter the circumstances".

Idris, who condemned the activities of secessionist in the country, revealed that he had gone round the country as the Inspector General of Police and has observed that Nigerians as a people still want to continue to live together as brothers and sisters. He said that police as an agent of government has a responsibility towards ensuring that the unity of the country remain intact.

He said: "We have the constitutional power to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians anywhere in the country.”

According to him, he was trying to ensure prompt action with regards to welfare of police men and their families, such as promotion, prompt payment of salaries and provision of affordable housing units.

His words: “I made some promises and I want to ensure I fulfill those promises. It’s my firm belief that police officers deserve support in terms of welfare and other logistics given the nature of our job. In view of the above, my administration has sustained major result oriented initiatives aimed at reinvigorating the police welfare system through police cooperative and insurance which involved investments made by police personnel.
"The product of this painstaking effort has culminated into these housing units named after the President whose moral support has brought us this far. It is therefore with
high sense of fulfillment and honour and gratitude that I commission this housing estate in Badagry, Lagos State, in keeping with my promise to my hard working police officers across this country.
"If you may recall, similar projects were commissioned in other parts of the country such as Katsina, Zamfara, Niger states and FCT, while that of Enugu State will kick off soon. The welfare of police officers, especially the rank and file, is vital for a more functional, proactive and effective police force. Consequently, I enjoin you to be at your best applying best practices in our dealings with the civil populace with total loyalty to our dear nation. I also thank the police cooperative society and our partners for making this dream come through."

The Commissioner of Police, Cooperative, Shola David commended the NFP boss for the initiative. He said that the project was in fulfillment of the I-G's promise to improve the welfare of Nigeria Police Officers.

David: "Today is a remarkable day in the history of the Nigeria Police under the leadership of the I-G as he commissions the 1083 units of flats at Muhammadu Buhari Estate. This is the first phase which has 312 units consisting of three and two bedroom flats and officers of the Nigeria Police had shown interest. This is in fulfillment of the I-G's promise to improve the welfare of Nigeria Police Officers as he has decided to be here to commission the project. We will be calling on the I-G for commissioning soon as the same project had been embarked upon in Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto." he said.
The Chief Executive Officer,  Remax Realtors, Mrs. Adefunke Adesoji, commended the police boss  for the making the project a success and appreciated his support throughout the execution of the project.
Adesoji: “We commend the performing man of the Nigeria police for making this project possible. We also appreciate his unflinching commitment to the improvement of the Nigeria Police welfare by providing them with a place to call theirs."
According to her, the first phase which has 312 units presently has over 100 units fully serviced with befitting middle and high income facility.

Two police officers, DSP Felicia Obembe and Sgt.Blessing Okurube received keys to their flats.