The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, ICPC, has called for collaboration with the Nigerian Police to fight corruption more effectively in the force.
ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, made the call during a visit of the commission’s management team to the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Muhammed Adamu in Abuja.
This was disclosed by spokesperson of the anti-graft agency, Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Owasanoye cited the recent sting operation between the ICPC and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, that led to the arrest of some marshals involved in extortion of motorists saying if replicated on “deviant policemen would help correct some of the public perception of corruption in the Police.’’
Recall that 37 FRSC operatives were arrested in the operation in late August.
The ICPC boss emphasised the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies in curbing the tide of corruption in the country pointing out further that there were several areas of Sent n between the ICPC and the police that needed to be overhauled for better service delivery.
He identified some of such areas as the deployment of armed police personnel to the commission’s offices across the country as well as assignment of a ‘special protection squad’ for the commission’s “big-ticket investigations’’ like Constituency Projects Tracking and sting operations.
Owasanoye explained that the current practice was for the Commission to write to Police Commissioners in various State Commands for armed policemen when the need arose.
He said the commission needed the support of the police and the Department of State Services to secure government’s approval for some categories of its staff to carry arms due to the dangerous nature of ICPC operations.
In his response, the IG expressed support for the call for collaboration saying “no agency has all the resources needed to carry out its assignments.’’
He therefore assured the commission of continued support from the Police.
“The Nigeria Police is ready to collaborate with the ICPC because you need us and we need you in this fight against corruption,’’ the IG said.
Adamu assured that the Force would assist with personnel, equipment and other resources at its disposal for the Commission to carry out its statutory assignments.
