31st October, 2012
The Inspector General of Police, Mr Abubakar Mohammed, said on Wednesday in Abuja that the three people alleged to be sponsoring Boko Haram were under watch and investigation.
They are former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno, Senator Ahmed Zanna, and Senator Ali Ndume.
Mohammed disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after declaring open a conference of sectional police heads – zonal and state Criminal Investigative Departments (CIDs).
He pleaded with the public to cooperate with the police, saying that they should not hesitate to come forward with information that could help the police to prosecute the three men.
“We cannot take anybody to court without ample evidence. Investigators need evidence to pursue their cases. So we need assistance.
“This is one of the many reasons for this conference today,’’ he said.
Earlier in a speech at the opening of the conference, the IG had reiterated his commitment to transforming the Nigeria Police to a 21st century policing agency.
He told the participants that CID was a key and important department of any police organisation.
“It is our crusade to collectively partner other Nigerians to change the police of today into a 21st century policing agency where things are done professionally.
“The CID we want is not the CID we have today. We would ordinarily want crimes to be solved quicker and faster,’’ Mohammed said.
He noted that there had been so many unsolved cases of murder, kidnap and rape “even though the police are doing their jobs.
“Its not because the police are incompetent, but due to several factors that will be discussed today,’’ Mohammed said.
He said his vision of the Nigerian CID of today “is a CID that will respect human rights, that will do its job without fear of anybody and that will give justice to all, at all times’’.
In his address of welcome, Mr Peter Gana, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Criminal Investigation Dept, described the CID as the bedrock of the police.
Gana said although many of the participants were involved in critical assignments requiring their attention on a 24-hour basis “constant training, workshops and conferences are imperative to achieve a safer society for a continual economic and national development.
“There are many hurdles ahead to be crossed. We have to improve on the roles of the CID and proffer solutions to the problems of the police force.
“I enjoin all of us to join hands and strive to improve the quality of service delivery in every aspect of our work.’’