At Senior officers Conference, IGP orders CPs AIGs others to reduce crime rates by 50%

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed all commands of the Force to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce crime rates by 50 per cent in 2025.

He gave the directive at the 5th Edition of the Annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Abeokuta on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is with the theme ‘Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing.’

Over 1,000 senior police officers are attending the three-day conference, which runs from Feb. 24 to 26.

Egbetokun noted that the theme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s security vision and reinforces the commitment to tackling insecurity.

“The theme highlights the President’s plan to build a professionally competent, intelligence-driven police force capable of addressing emerging threats proactively,” he said.

According to him, intensified operations and cooperation with the military and other security agencies are yielding significant results in the fight against organised crime.

Also speaking, Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Chiedu Ebie, urged the Federal Government to conduct periodic evaluations and vetting of police officers.

“A regular and comprehensive health check, including psychiatric assessments, must not be overlooked,” he said.

He also commended the police for their efforts to improve security in the country.

“However, Nigerians do not always appreciate the police force enough.

“As it stands, only 370,000 officers are responsible for the security of over 230 million people,” he stressed.

He promised that the commission would support the police in all capacities.

A senior police officer, speaking anonymously to NAN, said many commands are implementing the directive to reduce crime by 50 per cent.

“This is why the country is witnessing a higher rate of prosecutions in the courts,” he said. (NAN)

Tinubu decided not to make me Minister – El-Rufai reveals private discussion with the President

A former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam El-Rufai, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu did not want him in his cabinet.

According to him, the National Assembly did not reject him because of a security report from the Department of State Services, DSS.

Speaking on Arise TV on Monday night, El-Rufai said, “Forget what you read. The National Assembly did not reject me. President Bola Tinubu changed his mind about working with me.

“The security thing was a good excuse they used.

“Since then, has anyone released that report telling us the security issue?

“Look, I was minister 20 years ago. I don’t need to be in politics. I have a private life.

“Tinubu appealed to me and begged me. He threw me a challenge that no president has sorted out electricity problems. He said you and I can do it. it was the challenge that made me accept it.

“I had the opportunity to serve my country. The person that gave me took it back and that is not a problem.”

Housing Minister threatens to decamp from APC over Leadership issue

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, says he will resign if the current APC state chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, is re-elected.

Ata made this statement at a press conference in Kano on Monday. He reaffirmed his position, stating he would resign from both his ministerial role and the party.

He said, “This is my position to this day. We oppose the reinstatement of the current APC leadership in Kano, given what happened in the last election.

“We will not accept this situation again. If the leadership remains, I will resign from my ministerial post and leave APC.

Ata emphasised his strong moral values and respect for elders, noting, “We will not compromise our values.”

He expressed concerns over the party leadership’s statements, which he believed contributed to the party’s failure in 2023.

“We must engage individuals of integrity to gain the trust of Kano citizens,” Ata stressed.

He said, “Votes and money do not grant power; only God bestows authority.”

Ata urged politicians from all parties to promote peace, respect each other, and follow the rules. (NAN)