By Igbotako Nowinta, Alltimepost.com Nigeria Bureau Chief
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]mmediate past Inspector – General of the Nigeria Police, Mr. Solomon Arase has said that corruption is eradicable within the Police Force if necessary working tools are provided by relevant authorities.Arase, also a lawyer made the assertion recently in Benin City during the public presentation of a book, written in his honor, by Sir Williams Best-Idahosa, a retired police officer titled: Anatomy of Insecurity in Nigeria (Why crime is on the increase).
The nation’s ex-Police chief opined that when he was Inspector –General of Police, welfare of the officers and the rank and file was made a priority, while adequate funding was disbursed to all relevant sections/departments that resulted in his successful tenure.
His words: “Corruption is eradicable within the Nigeria Police Force if salaries are paid regularly, welfare of the officers and the rank and file are taken care of proactively and above all working tools (like vehicles/gadgets etc) must be up to date and maintained regularly…when l was in charge as the Inspector –General of Police in Nigeria within my short tenure I made sure that needed funds were absolutely made available to service men and equipments that went a long way to make my time very successful and eventful…What l initiated as IG is still there for all to see.
“Therefore, it is my avowed position that corruption can be silenced by positive attitudes and orientation to fighting crime and criminality by those in control at the peak at any point in time’’
The author of Anatomy of Insecurity in Nigeria, Sir Williams Best-Idahosa, a former Aide-de-Camp to ex-civilian Governor of the then Bendel State, Prof. Ambrose Alli ; officer-in-charge of Anti-Robbery Section of the then Bendel State Criminal Investigation Department (CID); lecturer at the Police College Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria for many years, first wrote his memoir Anini’s Untold Story, in 2006.
The book presentation was chaired by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, also a retired Police commissioner. The book was published by the Nigeria Good Governance Research Centre.
The Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki was represented at the ceremony by his Chief Security Officer, Yusuf Haruna.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, members of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON), and other dignitaries added color and glamour to the book presentation.
