IG Sets Up Committee To Verify Number Of Boko Haram Suspects In Detention

As yuletide draws nigh, Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and commissioners of police have been put on red alert to confront all security challenges.

The directive to this effect was given by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Abubakar, on Tuesday, at his meeting with the AIGs and the commissioners. He also said the police was compiling the number of Boko Haram suspects in various detention camps.

According to him, it is not only the police that has the Boko Haram suspects in cell, other security agencies also have a number of them in detention, therefore, the police could not say the actual number of suspects in detention.

The committee set up to reconcile all Boko Haram suspects in  custody of other security agencies, so as to ascertain the actual number being detained, is headed by DIG Force CID, Mr Peter Gana.

On why the suspects could not be charged to court immediately, the IGP disclosed that because of the anti-terrorism bill before the National Assembly, they could not arraign them until the bill was passed into law, so as to make the prosecution easy.

While noting the existence of security challenges in some states, particularly in the North-East, including Yobe, Borno and some parts of North-western states like Kaduna, Zamfara and Taraba, the IGP said, “I want to say that all commissioners of police and zonal AIGs have been putting in their best and we appreciate all your efforts despite the challenges in terms of equipment, logistics and resources to be able to discharge your responsibility.”

He said the essence of the meeting was for Nigeria to become safer, while he charged every commissioner of police to go back to their respective commands and ensure that there was a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.