IGP Idris, this is not how to treat a predecessor

These are not the best of times for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Successive governments, including the current one, have treated them disdainfully, ignoring the need to make adequate budgetary provisions for their operational needs. Police Stations are unkempt, poorly ventilated, uncomfortable and uninspiring places to work in, and police patrol vehicles are amongst the […]

These are not the best of times for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Successive governments, including the current one, have treated them disdainfully, ignoring the need to make adequate budgetary provisions for their operational needs. Police Stations are unkempt, poorly ventilated, uncomfortable and uninspiring places to work in, and police patrol vehicles are amongst the worst maintained in the nation. This has fostered low morale, siege mentality and corruption in the force. Extorting, unnecessarily harassing and disrespecting the public are standard police practices. In response the public regard policemen as their enemy, rather than friends.
Two montages containing pictures of Nigerian policemen have gone viral on the social media. The first shows what happens when a man puts his hand in his pocket when accosted by US police and by Nigerian police. In the US picture the policemen take position ready to defend themselves against attack. In the Nigerian picture the policemen raise their hands to hail the man who is “settling” them! The second montage shows US President Barrack Obama and then British Prime Minister David Cameron discussing in the rain holding umbrellas. Next to this is placed a photograph of a Nigerian political office holder full of self-importance striding majestically in the rain with a mobile policeman holding an umbrella over his head like a slave. In the past it was generally thought that the problem with the NPF was with the rank and file, but increasingly it has become evident that there is a problem with senior officers. And this manifested recently when the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the head of the police force and the most senior officer in the service, had to take on his predecessor in public. Previously, former IGP Tafa Balogun had come under investigation and prosecution in a manner that shocked the nation.
Recently, the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Kpotun Idris attempted to open an unnecessary can of worms against his predecessor Solomon Arase.  It is expected that when IGPs make public statements they are telling the truth and know what they are talking about because the matter must have been investigated thoroughly. Contrary to this, in his maiden interview Idris accused his predecessor Solomon Arase of being a thief who absconded with 24 vehicles belonging to the office of IGP.  Idris further accused some Deputy-Inspector Generals (DIGs) of the same offence and quite correctly set up a special investigation panel, but rather than wait for their report he went public. An IGP should know more than anyone that things can be handled better. What he did in the interview demonstrated an unnecessary haste to rubbish Arase for whatever reason.
The subsequent revelation by the Police Transport Department that the vehicles were under repair with their knowledge makes the Acting IGP look like someone who jumps to conclusions without recourse to facts.  Idris is well advised to learn humility and respect for others because if the past is anything to go by he won’t be in office for long.  While Presidents and Governors have minimum four years tenure, the last IGP who spent that long in office was Ibrahim Coomasie (1993-1999). In the 17 years of the Third Republic there have been 10 IGPs with an average tenure of less than two years. Instead of disrespecting his predecessors and getting carried away his his current position, Idris would be well advised that he will not remain an IGP forever. He should change his ways and strive to make sure that he will not later be forced to beg forgiveness from those he wronged while in office.