The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has announced the dismissal of 51 police officers for corrupt practices, even as 56 others are facing various forms of punishments.
The police boss, who spoke at the end of the year get-together in Abuja said: “between May and November, the anti-corruption enforcement architecture emplaced by the Force leadership has led to the dismissal of 51 personnel for proven corrupt practices while another 56 have been awarded various punishments.”
Arase said the Monitoring Unit, X-Squad and the Provost Marshal have been charged to sustain the enforcement drive in the upcoming year.
The IG promised that the policy of holding Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers liable for professional misconduct would be re-enforced.
He absolved the Force from acts of violence during the Bayelsa State governorship election.
Arase explained that Police did what was expected of them and should not be blamed for problems created by politicians.
“In fact, I have written letters of appreciation and recommendation for the Police on duty during the election,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Police high command has launched scholarship awards to 301 children of personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Arase said: “They shall not walk alone.
“We, as their commanders and colleagues, will do everything within our professional powers to keep their invaluable dreams alive and support the family they left behind.”
He said the force would reward the families of serving police officers that kept faith with the vision of the force.
Arase urged individuals and corporate organisations to support the gesture, adding that it would add value to the future of the children and serve as a source of encouragement for officers to perform better. [myad]