Insurgency: Reps to probe alleged killing of 90,000 police

Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously called for investigation into the report credited to the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase that 90,000 men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force lost their lives in the fight against insurgency over the years.

To this end, Speaker Yakubu Dogara mandated the House Committee on Police Affairs to probe the death of the police personnel with a view to ascertain its authenticity and report back to the House within eight weeks.

The Committee was also asked to liaise with other relevant committees and agencies to look into the possible replacement of any shortfall in manpower the Nigeria Police, to enable it tackle the current security challenges facing the country.

The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion on matters of urgent public importance sponsored by Ahmed Yerima, who described the IGP’s declaration as ‘alarming and disturbing,’ considering the lingering insecurity challenges facing the country.

He said: “The United Nations (UN) approximates a median of about 300 police officers per 100,000 citizens globally. According to recent estimates from Interpol, Nigeria has about 205 police officers for every 100,000 citizens, which is 95 police officers shy of the global median.

“There is already a large shortage of manpower in the police and its attendant effects are being felt all over the country, with kidnapping, robberies homicides, communal clashes and ultimately, the Boko Haram insurgency among others.”

Some of the lawmakers who spoke in support of the motion stressed the need for Federal Government to take urgent steps to carry out recruitment exercise with adequate training, equipment and remuneration.

Nasir Ahmed said: “For us to lose that number of policemen is a monumental loss and very unfortunate; and we must act fast to provide adequate funding and protective equipment for the police force to enable them protect themselves and then the public”.

Ahmed Pategi (APC-Kwara) urged the committee on Police Affairs to thoroughly look into the death of 90,000 policemen, stressing, “it is no mean misfortune for a society.

 “I will support a thorough investigation of this and also the recruitment and funding of additional officers and men to meet the security requirement of our society,” he said.