Why IGP Ringim Wants Civil Defence Scrapped
It has been revealed that the suggestion for the scrapping of the Nigerian Securities and Civil Defence Corps by the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, was borne out of intense anger.
Ringim, who has been part of the police that is renowned for alleged criminal activities and corruption, recently urged the federal government to disband the paramilitary organisation because its duties conflicted with the duties of the police force.
Huhuonline.com / has however learnt that the IGP is not comfortable with the achievements of the Civil Defence Corps since it was set up.
He is particularly not happy that the organization has taken the presumed glory of the police.
While the police has continued to earn low ratings both locally and internationally, the NSCDC has maintained its integrity and its officials have avoided controversies that would rub negatively on the body.
A highly placed police officer told Huhuonline.com that the newly appointed IG had cases against the NSCDC.
The source said that while in Bayelsa State , Ringim had a major issue with officials of the organisation when he wanted them to always handover suspected criminals to his men who were considered to have failed in their duties even while being armed as against their counterpart in the Corps.
The refusal of Dr. Aboderin's men was said to have pissed him up.
It was further learnt that on his appointment, he was said to have called a meeting of senior officers where he was advised against allowing the Corps thrive against the police.
He was said to have been reminded of the negative perception that Nigerians have of the police and how efforts of successive IGs to warm their way into the hearts of Nigerians had ended in futility.
"His cronies also told him that if he actually wanted to reform the police and make a mark as an Inspector-General of Police, he should frustrate the continued existence of the Corps.
"He thinks that is the only way he would shine as the head of the law enforcement agency which has been at the centre of many atrocities.
"He was even particularly troubled that prominent Nigerians have often supported the Civil Defence Corps and would prefer the body to the police if they have a choice.
"He then decided to use his closeness to the President to ask for this special favour not minding the reaction from the public," the source who was privy to the meeting told this medium.
He however believes that the Acting Inspector-General may be making a mistake for taking the action as, according to him, it is a fight that he may not win.
"If he loses this fight, this may well be the beginning of the end for him,"he added.
He however maintained that prominent public officials have vowed to frustrate the IGP.
This may be true as the Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, has petitioned Vice President Namadi Sambo protesting the move by the IG to suppress the body.
The Minister who also petitioned the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoeye Azazi, reminded them that "it is on record that the VP has commended the NSCDC as a vibrant organisation whose role cannot be underestimated, especially in the protection of the nation's national assets and infrastructure.
"For the avoidance of doubt and any inhibition," the Minister stated in the petition, "the misconception and erroneous impression about the NSCDC should be corrected once and for all.
"The call by the IGP to scrap the NSCDC questions the wisdom and authority of the National Assembly as enshrined in the constitution of 1999."
Several Nigerians have also criticised this move by the IGP.
One of them who posted this as a reaction, said: "The police in this country can never be reformed. They are rapists- they raped some girls from my school and these girls never reported it. They are murderers: they killed a bank manager in the Lekki First Round About, about two years ago, they burnt the crime scene and claimed the bank manager was a robbery suspect."
For Emmanuel Opeyemi, "I believe this is a disappointment from the IGP. Security is a joint function which must as such be observed in unity and with one accord.
"Why not forget bias and join hands with the NSCDC and other security agencies for better security of life and property within the country. This is my candid advice for all, and indeed the IG!"
Another Nigerian, who gave his name as Ilumode, asked: "Was the police authority sleeping the during the public hearing on the bill to establish the NCDSC to have noticed the overlap?
"They are only concerned about the money they are missing from the pipelines."
For Jackson, "All these departments are being set up because of the gross ineffectiveness of the police force. If the police had been up and doing there would be no need for departments like Road Safety Corps, Traffic Warders, Civil Defence, EFCC, ICPC, etc.
"They are all performing and will continue to perform the duties of the police. As long as the police continue to be inept in the performance of their duties there will always be need to create splinter groups to fill in the void."
"Every security agencies are collaborative in nature. Nigeria Police officers are arrogant and are mediocre, or else they should live above board and discharge their duties since the nation belongs to the different security agencies.
"This Ringim needs to be re-oriented. His calling for Civil Defence Corps to be scrapped is not sincere but myopic and unpatriotic at his level.
"The general public are in support of Civil Defence for their laudable achievements over the past years of existence as a government agency."
Meanwhile, the Police Reform Committee has set up an independent committee to investigate the claims of overlapping functions by the Nigeria Police Force with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The Vice President while inaugurating the committee stated that the NSCDC, as a security organisation, has played major roles in checking pipeline vandalisation and protection of government installations nationwide.