Crises Rocks Police as CPs, Area Commanders, DPO banned From Investigation

Cyriacus Izuekwe

The Nigeria police has been thrown into crises after Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers were banned from carrying out any investigation without approval at Abuja the police headquarters.

This new order which is tearing the police apart came from the Depty Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon E. Arase.

With the new directive, it means that the CPs, Area Commanders and DPOs have been banned from investigating any Criminal matter unless the office of the DIG approves it.

In a letter dated 3 September 2014 and circulated to all the Commissioners of police, all sections and head of departments and the Nigeria Police signed by DIG Arase banned the officers from doing so unless they get approval from him.

The letter titled “Order and Directives” stated that from 4 September 2014, departments are to obtain his directive at Abuja before releasing any investigator in their individual sections to embark on any investigation or travel to any command on investigation activities by duly completing an attached form.

“It is only consequent upon my approval that the CP (administration) should process and issue investigation activities letter to any investigator,” the statement read.

It also stated that any investigator that fails to obtain the authorisation on the approval form may be denied power to take over any case file and may face displinary and other administrative actions.

Arase said it was necessary to regulate and standardise the process of investigation in Nigeria to curtail indiscriminate investigation.

“It has been observed that some operatives in the Criminal department are in the habit of traveling to different states and commands for investigation without authorization and to avoid embrassment to the Nigeria police have made it necessary for such decision,” Arase stated.

The decision did not go down well with the seniors officers who said such decisions will weaken the police from investigation.

A senior police office said how can an office serving in Lagos cammand will go to Abuja to obtain approval on the matter within Lagos Command which have different area Commanders.

“By this decission, CPS, Area Commanders, DPOs and othe department have no power again to investigate Criminal matters and that is too bad,” the source concluded.