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The news that Super Eagles ace, Obafemi Martins only narrowly escaped death in Lagos a few days ago was just simply too much to comprehend. A young man of only 22 years, who has crafted a noble career for himself through hard work and God given ability. A young man who answered his country's call of duty by coming home to participate in an important sporting event. A down to earth Nigerian who is neither overtly flashy nor arrogant and conducts himself admirably on the international stage. This is the man whose young life evil elements in our society conspired to terminate by riddling his car with bullets.
{mosgoogle}Not quite a one-off event in turns out. Apparently a number of other overseas-based footballers have had similar encounters in varying degrees. One thing is evident, some people somewhere are hell bent on killing some of our worthy sons or at least instilling enough fear in them that they are discouraged from coming home to represent their motherland in crucial sporting events. Now who stands to benefit from such a scenario? Who gains if foreign based players don't acknowledge national call-ups for home games? Or could this be part of an on-going sinister scheme to disrupt Nigeria's unity and notable progress. Mishaps of this nature involving players like these greatly attracts national and international attention. It seems designed to create as much and insecurity as possible in the minds of visitors, investors and other parties. It is similar to other high-profile attacks in the country, be they banks, government property, installations etc etc. Martins' assailants wore masks, and he described them as looking very organised and professional, hell bent on seeing their mission through.
These sort of armed violence occur in different parts of the country, particularly places like Lagos, The Delta regions, and parts of the South-East and South West. Guns, guns and even more guns in the hands of dangerous and evil minded people, adequately aided, abetted and supervised by certain unscrupulous kingpins in our society. It is all an illustration of the monumental task that awaits new Inspector General, Mr Mike Okiro. I congratulate him on his appointment to perhaps the most crucial job in the land. Yes, the job of IG, especially in a country like Nigeria, is a very delicate and difficult challenge whichever way you look at it. A huge and ever rising population, where bad habits and modes of operation have become deeply ingrained. A place where the desire for untold wealth by any means is the primary occupation of many.
As the new IG, Okiro holds the fortunes or misfortunes of Nigeria in his hands. Quite a throne to be sitting on. Armed, organised and blood-thirsty criminals have set-up shop in Nigeria and have no intentions of giving up what they see as a lucrative trade. It is with this in mind that I write this article, hoping that in some small way I am making my own little contribution, even if from afar, towards making Nigeria a better place for Nigerians.
The Nigerian Police Force is certainly changing, and by all indications for the better. At last, there seems to be a real effort to improve policing activities to counter the menacing tide of criminality that has besieged many parts. The police themselves have become targets of these deadly criminals and many have lost their lives as a result. It makes tales of Lawrence Anini's famed confrontations with the police seem like child's play. The police truly deserve our hearty commendations for their efforts in recent times, particularly in the last year. A significant number of dangerous criminals have either been arrested or killed, especially in Lagos. I commend the tenacity and tactics of the new Lagos Commissioner of Police, Bashiru Azeez in waging war on criminals. In spite of the many difficulties and short comings of the job, they risk their lives everyday to protect the rest of us. May the good Lord continue to give them the protection and wisdom required to discharge their duties conscientiously.
For some reason, I am inclined to believe Mr Okiro has good intentions for Nigeria. Somehow I believe he is determined not to make the mistakes of his predecessors, particularly those of the outgoing IG, Mr Sunday Ehindero, who is currently embroiled in a looting scandal running into millions of Naira. Forgive me for thinking that Mr Ehindero was a lot smarter and more honourable than he's turned out to be. How can someone who, at close quarters, witnessed the shaming of Tafa Balogun, choose to tread the same path of greed and disservice is completely beyond my comprehension! I truly hope we have seen the last of such weak human beings, for whom the lure of easy riches outweigh their honour, sense of duty and the upholding of the office of Inspector General. For the sake of Nigeria and all our children, I am sincerely hoping that Mike Okiro's appoinment is the light that uncovers the darkness. The turning point that will elevate Nigeria to new heights by making her one of the safest and exciting places to live in.
The Nigerian Police needs all the help it can get to execute its job properly. Nigeria needs all the help of the police to bring about security of lives and property, the only platform by which its aims of being a global economic powerhouse by the year 2020 can be met. But most importantly that crime is reduced to the barest minimum where it has little impact on how Nigerians go about their business and social activities. This article is meant to highlight certain things that could help the IG and the NPF better its reputation and improve the nation's security situation. A lot of the suggestions here are from a previous article I wrote last year. If writing them out again means it finds its way onto the desk of some influential police personnel, then please allow me to bore you again.
Here are the 5 areas I believe can help Mike Okiro achieve our security aims, though I must stress that it all hinges on both the federal and state government's participation and willingness to provide the necessary funds and resources:
Image and Reputation
One of the foremost tasks of the new IG should be to revamp the image and credibility of the police, whose reputation and trust the country over is incredibly low, and for good reasons too. Unsolved crimes and the visible acts of police at check-points extorting money from private and commercial motorists is etched in the consciousness of all Nigerians. The discreditable activities of the last two IGs have only made matters worse, as they have given the lowly ranked staff the justification for their own bribe-taking misdemeanours. There is a need to monitor the activities of police personnel at all levels of operation, with a view to flushing out the bad eggs and gradually introduce better skilled and reliable personnel truly dedicated to fighting crime.
There is a need to introduce better, rigourous and more sophisticated recruitment, training and education procedures to bring the force up-to-date with modern policing methods. This will ensure all personnel are fully conversant with the requirements of the job and better equipped to meet the nation's needs. There will be a strong emphasis on police Code of Conduct in handling incidents or situations, to curb the use of unnecessary force or unwarranted brutality. It will serve as a reminder that the police exists to serve and protect the public, not victimise them. Training should be an on-going activity, with regular reviews and consistent monitoring.
Minimum entry requirements into the force should be reviewed, along with improvements to salaries and benefits, living conditions, and protection allowances to reflect the dangerous nature of the job. This will be vital in improving staff moral, self-esteem and sense of duty, and attract a better calibre of candidates into the force. Ultimately it will help to stem the tide of corruption within the force and dissuade personnel from engaging in criminal activities.
All police barracks and stations need to be assessed and set standards agreed upon. There is a need to build and modernize all infrastructure including stations, interrogation and holding centres, living quarters and offices. Better working and living conditions will impact on the lives of staff and their families. This will go a long way in increasing the prestige of the job, making officers more aware of what they stand to lose if they are caught abusing the office or involved in discreditable activities.
I am glad the police have introduced new lighter, more comfortable uniforms. I had previously suggested this in the previous article and I am glad to see this has been introduced. The new uniforms will be a welcome relief to field staff who spend many hours in Nigeria's simmering sun. They need practical, comfortable uniforms in that sort of heat, not black uniforms which absorb heat and adds to their discomfort. The new uniforms will also help give officers and the general public a feeling of change. So I say very well done indeed.
Technology & Equipment
Government needs to provide more funds for the purchase of a variety of equipment vital to successful policing anywhere in the world today. Everyone knows that the NPF is grossly ill-equipped and is using obsolete equipment for modern crime fighting. The new equipment will range from, CCTV (Close Circuit TV) and other monitoring equipment, vehicles with all the necessary communication and monitoring apparatus, to detection systems, anti-riot and forensic equipment, sophisticated weaponry, protective clothing and accessories. Thankfully concerned individuals and firms have begun to aid the police by donating useful equipment. As much as I applaud their efforts, this ought to be mainly the role of government. However a better system of monitoring the use of these equipment will need to be established to guard against misuse.
The forensic activities need to be developed further, with scientist and doctors called upon to play an active role. This is a great deficiency in the capacity of the police to solve many a crime. Most Nigerian criminals believe and are encouraged by the fact, that if they are not caught at the scene of a crime, they have basically gotten away with murder. An improved forensic capacity will change all that, as it will enable detective units to solve a higher percentage of crime than they currently do. This will greatly rattle the comfort zone of criminal, whilst giving the police a superior advantage in the knowing that past crimes can still be solved.
Crime Prevention & Surveillance
Crime prevention is one of the most vital aspects of policing, as it is always better to stave off crimes than than dealing with the aftermath. It goes a long way in safeguarding the lives of citizens and the police themselves.
Installing CCTV at strategic locations would be a useful tool in preventing and solving crimes. Under cover monitoring zones should be established, along with heavy armoured vans parked at specific locations to act as a deterrent. No doubt all of these will require improved road infrastructure, the rebuilding and reorganising of many parts of our cities, and of course consistent power supply. These technologies cannot afford the usual power outages. Good, adequate lighting is a key factor in the prevention and tackling of crime. CCTV relies on good lighting to capture the activities of criminals, so government provision of these vital amenities cannot be over emphasized. All of these, if actively put in place, will turn the spotlight on the criminals, making them wary and uncomfortable, and the life of crime increasingly difficult and unappealing.
It is good to see that community policing and patrols are improving everyday. It is crucial in giving the public that visible sense of security, whilst acting as a a crime deterrent. The police need the public's participation by being vigilant and reporting suspicious behaviour and activities. We can double our efforts through leafleting, advertising and TV programmes designed to inform and educate the public about crime prevention, personal safety and how they can assist the police. There's no doubt that the widespread ownership of mobile phones is helping the cause of crime reporting. It is my understanding that special crime hotline numbers already exist.
The fear of crime has greatly limited peoples desire and ability to enjoy a good nightlife. Nigerians are one of the most fun and sociable humans in the world, yet most are discouraged from going out after 7pm because of so-called Area Boys and other criminal elements. In many parts of the world night time entertainment is a vital source of business and income. A city like Lagos with its huge population ought to be a night time Mecca generating massive income for the state and country.
It is also time the police closed ranks on Juju doctors, manufacturers of local pistols and gun racketeers. On arrests, many thugs and criminals are found with all manner of charms on their person. These herbalists, witch-doctors or whatever they are called, are doing more harm to the nation than good. They always seem to be helping someone do something wrong, asking people to sacrifice human body parts to obtain riches. The police also need to uncover doctors or hospitals who secretly treat robbers with bullet wounds for a cut of their takings. And finally IG needs to employ a strategy to sniff out and apprehend those making a living from gun racketeering. There's no doubt that some army personnel are involved in this, if not some of the crimes too. Perhaps a good incentive will be to offer rewards to anyone who provides vital information that leads to arrests or prevention of crimes.
Dealing With Crime
Issues of domestic violence should be given a higher priority through more information and education. Various forms of harrowing abuse and even death have occurred due to years of neglect of this particular area. These range from child abuse, marital incidents, abuse of house helps and relatives, to neighbours at war, activities of cult organisations and abuse of authority by some religious establishments.
There's a need to significantly improve response times to particularly high priority and life threatening incidents, like armed robberies and other violent offences. Establishing special response units in various locations in cities and towns will not be a bad idea. These should be co-ordinated by well-equipped central units located in every city who will notify the nearest call-out unit to an incident. The police need to study the logistics of a crime location so they can cover all possible escape routes before approaching the scene. Robbers need some form of transportation to get away. Covering all possible exit points will certainly yield more successes.
The police should set-up special programmes to deal with the activities of the so-called Area Boys. Mr Okiro should influence state governments and local authorities to re-design various public areas such as overgrown bushy areas, car parks, mechanic garages and areas under bridges, installing CCTV and security lights in strategic places so that they no longer provide hiding places and havens for thugs and criminal gangs. The police should engage communities in a process of identifying and apprehending gang ring leaders under public disorder offences, taking the sting out of the gangs. Curfews should be introduced in notorious areas to curb the gathering and activities of gangs.
Finally, through engagement with government, businesses and affected communities, we should look at how the provision of worthwhile training, education and employment can create alternative lifestyles for gang members and discourage others from joining their operations.
Traffic Laws and Transportation
The enforcement of traffic law and road safety should be of paramount importance. Statistics show that quite a number of Nigerians needlessly lose their lives to road accidents every year. Those who survive are usually sustain terrible permanent injuries. This is due to bad roads, poor street lighting, unroadworthy vehicles, erratic driving of many motorists and cyclists, and general flagrant violation of road safety laws by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.
The city of Lagos is the most notorious for this, and in my view, a complete motorist and pedestrian's hell. Transport operators are the main culprits here, as their race to earn money puts the lives of commuters and the general public at risk. Okadas significantly raised the risk barrier even higher, weaving in and out of traffic causing threats to pedestrians, themselves and passengers they transport. They are simply coffins on wheels.
Good, safe roads and the smooth flow of traffic are vital in ensuring good flow of business. Nigerians waste nearly 70% of their time trying to get from A to B on its roads, and a lot of business and money is lost in the process.
I believe it is time we establish a Nigerian Police Transport Authority, whose main role will be to:
* Police all road and hopefully rail transportation
* Enforce traffic laws and promote road safety
* Handle all cases of vehicle thefts
* Attend to and investigate road incidents and accidents
* Recover and remove vehicles from roads due to breakdowns or accidents
* Oversee the removal of corpses after road accidents
* Monitor all road and rail infrastructure
* Help to apprehend criminal gangs on the move
* Keep roads free of all manner of obstructions and things that can cause accidents
Various fines should be introduced for road and traffic offences. The revenue from these will be used to maintain and improve various road safety and traffic needs, such as road signs, traffic lights etc. We should make it compulsory for all motor cyclists to obtain licences and any one who boards them must wear safety helmets at all times. Violations of these will result in heavy fines, confiscation of the vehicle or even short-term imprisonment. In developed countries, a driver is liable for the injuries and deaths of the occupants of his vehicle if an accident occurs through his negligence, i.e. abuse of alcohol or other drugs. The same law should apply to Okada or any other vehicle operators here.
The NPTA in consultation with the Ministry of Transport and local authorities, should review public transport routes with a view to restricting Okadas and buses to designated routes. Heavy and long goods vehicles should only ply specific routes. CCTV could be used to monitor the abuse and breaking of these traffic laws, particular those in the habit of jumping or driving in the wrong lanes. With improved CCTV, the NPTA will also be able to monitor traffic activities from central stations, and so resolve traffic problems and bottlenecks before they create serious traffic jams and delays.
There will be a re-introduction of mobile state and federal police patrols, in cars and on motorbikes, to monitor speed limits, enforce traffic laws and keep interstate roads free of criminal gangs. These will give decent motorists, cyclists and commuters a greater sense of protection and safety.
Maintenance
This is the bane of all Nigerian infrastructure. We must ditch the ' acquire and neglect culture ' and realise the important role maintenance plays in every aspect of a nation's development. It is imperative that all these wonderful equipment are maintained. The IG should strongly enforce a viable maintenance structure to ensure that all procedures, equipment, technology, buildings, machinery, vehicles, etc. are regularly and adequately maintained. This is vital in enabling the force perform its duties effectively and get the best out of all new equipment and technology. A good maintenance application prolongs the life and use of any infrastructure and saves money in the long run. Special officers will need to be assigned to monitor and provide periodic reports on maintenance issues.
Conclusion
In all of this, the prosecution and judicial service have a great role to play in ensuring successful court prosecutions for those brought forward by the police. In other words all parties - the government, the police, prosecution service and indeed every Nigerian will need to work together for any of these ideas to work effectively. Nigeria has to move up and away from the primitive and sometimes barbaric way it handles many of its affairs.
The suggestions here may not have covered every important strategy the NPF can employ to aid Nigeria achieve its security and policing goals. I just hope I have touched on a few things which those in authority will consider worthy and helpful in our collective quest to see Nigeria blossom into a better place to live for all Nigerians and their friends. As Mr Okiro himself gallantly put it, criminals should stop their crimes, flee the country or face certain detention or death. He seems to have started his appointment by making the right pronouncements, even taking some daring actions as demonstrated by his recent intervention in an armed robbery incident in Abuja. I hope this is not just early job gestures and rhetoric we have come to know. Mr Okiro has a great opportunity to write himself into history, as one man who came to change the face of policing in Nigeria for the better, for good. He could be to crime what Nuhu Ribadu is to corruption. Now wouldn't that be more prestigious adornment than being caught with stolen wealth.
All that said, it is still my belief that Nigeria is making steady progress in many areas, and the feeling of a new desire to move this country forward and upwards is very evident. May god bless this nation.
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Posted by Robot| 22.06.2007 07:33