The acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar yesterday said the intelligence gathering arm of the police force has deteriorated and is lacking in direction and control.Abubakar, who met top police officers at the Police Headquarters in Abuja, said during the meeting that intelligence gathering is a key element in crime fighting and management. 'The intelligence arm of Nigeria Police is already in comatose and rudderless. Most officers there are not trained and their modus operandi is only to depend on whistle blowers.'The department has lost touch with modern day intelligence activities and will be reorganized to measure up to the intelligence units of other nations,' he said.The unit will be upgraded and equipped while undercover agents will be trained to infiltrate the ranks of criminals 'as it was practiced in the olden days and intelligence training will be pursued vigorously. Nigeria Police is long overdue to have an intelligence school and this shall be established before the end of this administration.'He said the police will increase the use of surveillance cameras in high-crime areas, more DNA analysis, computerized license plate scanners and other high-tech systems to apprehend criminals.The IGP outlined the guiding principles of his administration as, commitment to duty, dedication to duty and respect for the rule of law and the rights of all persons living in Nigeria irrespective of their social standing or religious belief.Other principles included, 'fairness to all in the discharge of their duties, honesty in all we do both in our private and official capacities without fear or favour, ill will or affection.'He said zonal assistant inspectors general will be empowered henceforth to take certain administrative and operational decisions affecting their areas of responsibility and would be held responsible for any act of crime, lawlessness and disorder in their various zones. 'Equally, commissioners would be held responsible in their commands. There shall be monthly meetings with the AIGs and the IGP to assess the security of respective zones.'Each AIG is expected to attend the meeting with comprehensive security report of all commands under his control. These reports will be analyzed by all AIGs and the management team and appropriate recommendations and directives shall be given by the IGP.'He said there hasn't been any empirical evidence to show that the police force is underfunded as peculated instead 'the budgeting system of the police is faulty. A budget of assumption as it is being practiced in the force can never take the police forward and henceforth, there shall be inputs from zonal and state police commands and formations across the country.'He said the CP, AIG and IGP recommendation and rewards will be reintroduced as 'morale booster' for deserving officers. Salaries and allowances shall be paid promptly and the 'issue of promotion shall be given due care and attention.'He said the new administration intends to build a 25 bed mini hospital in each of the zones to cater for medical needs of officers and their families as well as civilians. He also said he will travel to Kano to ensure that all policemen killed or injured in the recent bombings are adequately compensated.He said the police will avoid extra-judicial killings and any officer found guilty will have himself to blame.'I have assurance of Mr. President that government will continue with all its laudable programmes of youth empowerment to keep most of our youth away from crime,' he added.
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