IGP warns policemen on detention of suspects

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase, has warned policemen against unnecessary detention of suspects.
Arase gave the warning on Wednesday while addressing officers and men of the Gombe State Police Command.
Arase said suspects should not be detained without sufficient evidence to back the detention.
“I am against keeping people in custody, unless you have sufficient evidence against them. That is why those of you in training now are being taught intelligence base policing.
“That your investigation must be intelligence-driven, must be evidential, you must have sufficient evidence before you will invite somebody to the station.
“The issue of keeping people long in the cell before you start looking for evidence is no longer accepted. We are facing challenges, the money we use in settling human rights abuses is supposed to be channelled to your own welfare.’’
The police boss explained that the custody approach of policing was not the right approach, “except on cases where you know you do not have the competence to release people on bail, and is not suppose to be monetised.’’
Arase said that whenever a case was not criminal in nature, the police should endeavour to settle the parties concerned amicably.
“By the time you settle parties that came in contact with you, you develop friendship and your relationship with members of the public is further enhanced,’’ he added.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe, Mr Kudu Nma, lauded the support and cooperation of the people and Gombe State Government.
Nma said that the state government had assisted the police with four Hilux vans and 23 Ford Range pick-up vans, which were distributed to the area commands.
He said one of the key challenges confronting the command was the issue of insurgency.
He added that “the command had loss quiet a large number of personnel to attacks and most divisional police headquarters were destroyed by insurgents.’’
He identified transfer of all cadres without replacement as another challenge the command was facing.
The IGP is in Gombe for a one-day working visit.