Nigeria's Interior Minister queries Police Inspector General, Civil Defence Boss as inter Agency battle deepens

Nigeria's interior Minister queries Police Inspector General, Civil Defence Boss as inter Agency battle deepens

The Nigerian Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulraman Dambazau, has frowned at the continued absence of the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mr. Solomon Arase who he believes has deliberately refused to show up at the various events held at the ministry of Interior, since he resumed office as minister.


It would be recalled that the General Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had as part of efforts to cut down what he termed as administrative cost, directed the immediate merger of the Nigerian Police force with the ministry of interior , to be duly supervised by Dambazau who will in turn ensure adequate and efficient national policing.

Surprisingly, since the pronouncement, the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who may not be happy with the presidential directive has failed to show up at all the public functions of the ministry, in most cases sending very junior officers to represent him.


Gen. Dambazau who expressed shock at Arase’s arrogance and disregard, when the Nigerian Legion visited him, asked in surprise immediately he entered the conference room where other heads of Parastatals and Directors were already waiting for the commencement of the event asked: “Where is the Inspector of Police and the Commandant General of Civil Defence? I have not seen any police officer nor Civil Defender here he added..”


The minister, who did not explain further however declared that ‘’ you (the legion) are so lucky because police will pay three times the amount of money I will pay.”

Some persons who spoke to LEADERSHIP in anonymity wondered if the Police boss who has vehemently refused to show respect to the new minister would ever be bold to sanction any of his subordinates who dares to ignore his orders . ‘They said, we have silently observed the trend and have decided to describe his action as “total disregard to the president , minister and to the Country at large.”


Meanwhile, the National chairman, Nigerian Legion, Col. Micah Gaya, said the legion has a duty to support widows and children of the fallen heroes. He also said the legion is supporting its members who are in IDPs camps in the north-east.


Responding, the interior minister, Dambazau who decorated by the legion’s chairman, said the ministry will do everything to support the legion


He said: “We have a lot to do for our fallen heroes. They paid the supreme price and almost all of them left behind somebody. So, imagine if you were in their shoes. I think there is nothing too big or too small to give to them in appreciation”.