Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro yesterday said the police would strive to unmask the killers of former Attorney-General of the Federation(AGF) and minister of justice, Chief Bola Ige (SAN), just as he confirmed improved pay for policemen in the country.
Similarly, he said police authorities had concluded arrangement with two commercial banks for the purchase of 100,000 motorcycles to be distributed to the rank and file in the force.
Okiro who briefied newsmen in Abuja said criminal cases especially murder, are not closed even when the suspects have been charged to court.
Daily Champion recalls that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had recently ordered Okiro to unmask the killers of Ige and other prominent Nigerians.
Ige was killed by yet to be identified gunmen on December 23, 2001, Okiro said that matters pertaining to the killing of political figures and other prominent Nigerians matters could not easily be swept under the carpet, adding that "we are looking for information on these matters".
He further confirmed government’s decision to increase the pay package of policemen from next year, which he put at N26,000.00 on the minimum, stressing that the National Assembly had already been briefed and urged federal lawmakers to approve the budgetary appropriation to actualize the package.
He said that aside from increased take home pay, he had concluded arrangement with the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Oceanic Bank Plc to finance the purchase of 100,000 personal motorcycles for the rank and file. He said from January, vehicle package for inspectors and sergeants would be unfolded.
Said he: "So far, I have put in place measures to ensure the promotion of officers as and when due; the payment of the consolidated police salary structure which now allows the constable to earn at least N26,000 per month that will spur him to discharge his duties effectively and efficiently.
"Also, the expansion of police insurance scheme to include supernumerary services, traffic wardens and teachers in police primary and secondary schools nationwide which include the purchase of houses and acquisition of parcels of land in about 16 states of the federation and FCT through the collaboration of the commissioner of police of commands with the state governments, are part of the things we have done to spur our officers and men to work harder," Okiro stressed.
At the signing of agreement with Frajend Investment Nigeria Limited for the supply of 100,000 motorcycles for the lower rank. Okiro said that when the distributed motorcycles would assist them perform their duties better.
He said that with the agreement, the company would be entitled to N3,000.00 monthly deduction from the salary of the beneficiaries, adding that the money spent procuring the motorcycles would be liquidated within 24 months.
He announced the construction of about 100,000 housing units for policemen in parts of the country on owner-occupier basis to be financed through the mortgage institutions.
Though he did not provide details of the project, he announced that land for he projects have been procured.
By MALACHY UZENDU, Head Editorial, Abuja
Daily Champion
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
