Ibrahim Idris
Ibrahim Idris

Nigeria’s Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday shocked reporters with an allegation that his predecessor, Solomon Arase took along 24 Police vehicles as he retired from office. The newly retired Deputy Inspectors-General also took away many vehicles, some seven each and others, eight, according to Idris. The Police boss disclosed that he has mandated a Special Investigative Unit to look into the disappearance of the vehicles.

The Acting IG narrated the development to the reporters this way: “A week before I was announced, when you looked through my window, you could see so many cars, but the cars all disappeared when I came in. What I did was to assign a directive to the Special Investigative Unit, SFU, for them to investigate all vehicle purchases and donations to the Police in the last three years.

“When I took over, there were no vehicles. I discovered that the last IG went away with 24 vehicles, including two BMW 7 Series, one armoured. The DIGs took seven, others eight and they left me with an old vehicle.

“The last time I followed the President with it, he asked me what I was doing with that old car, because even the headlight has changed colour which means that it was parked and rain and everything had fallen on it. But the new ones that were bought, he (the former IG) went with all of them. They are part of the 24.

“When a policeman retires as IG, DIG, AIG or CP, he is entitled to some vehicles. So, he should take his entitlement, and return the extra. I believe four vehicles (which the IG is entitled to) are enough for an average person. What does one need 24 vehicles for?”

Idris also claimed to have written to Arase and the DIGs to return the vehicles. However, the former IG has denied Idris’ claim that he went away with 24 vehicles. Arase reportedly told a Punch reporter on phone that the allegation was “malicious propaganda.”

According to Punch, Arase asked the correspondent rhetorically: “What am I going to do with 24 cars?” And he went on to say: This is a malicious accusation. There are ways of verifying issues rather than engaging in media propaganda.”

Idris is however unequivocal that the investigative team which he has set up will look into all the vehicle purchases, contributions to the police and the distribution of those vehicles in the last three years.

Vehicles apart, the Acting Inspector-General also says the Police Management Team will probe the last promotion exercise in the Nigeria Police with a view to address grievances that have been expressed by those who felt left out in spite of being qualified for promotion. He noted that some officers had complained that their juniors were promoted over them.