I-G seeks stringent punishment for kidnappers

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has called for stringent punishment for kidnappers to check the menace of kidnappings in the country.

Idris made the call at a meeting with Commissioners of Police and above in Abuja on Wednesday.

“We have not seen where kidnap suspects were convicted and jailed for committing the offence,”he said.

He said that some of the kidnap suspects enjoyed freedom more than law abiding Nigerians.

It was reported that some States in the country which have enacted laws to punish convicts with death penalties have not executed them.

The I-G cited the example of neighbouring Niger Republic where the prosecution and conviction of kidnap and terrorism suspects were being given expeditious attention.

He said that if the suspects were allowed to go scot-free, they would be encouraged to carry on with the crime.

Idris urged Command commissioners of police to ensure that officers under their command carried out their duties in a professional manner.

“It is your duty as commissioners of police at your various commands to to ensure that every police officer conforms with police operational rules,”he said.

He urged them to re-validate all deployments carried out before now to effectively check officers engaged in illegal duties and extortion.

“You have to set up an X-squad to check illegal deployment and extortion by officers in your commands.

“It is very embarrassing to read in the media how officers harass innocent citizens.

“As commanders we must be very effective to check illegal duties,”he said.

He said that effective supervision of activities at police stations would check human rights abuse.

The inspector-general urged police commissioners of Niger and Kaduna states to engage community and religious leaders to sensitise the people on kidnapping on that route.

He alleged that crimes along this route were being perpetuated by youths of the communities.

“You should liase with traditional and religious leaders to enhance community policing strategies,’’ he said.

He also urged the police commissioners to conduct monthly lectures with officers in their commands to assess their performances.

“You have to send your monthly report on the lectures to the Headquarters for the headquarters to be in touch with them, ” he said.

He also enjoined them to encourage outstanding officers by recommending them for promotion.

Idris announced a posthumous promotion for Insp. Idris Musa, who was killed in a shootout with the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in Kano.

Musa was a member of the Inspector-General of Police Joint Police Special Team.