POLICING THE POLICE

UVENAL was said to have uttered these words in relation to the challenges, maybe, futility, of ensuring marital fidelity. In our context, we would apply them to the inabilities of the Nigeria Police to look after their affairs. The matter is becoming embarrassing, even shameful. The police are prosecuting one of their dismissed officers for allegedly escaping from detention, drawing salaries from 15 commands, and stealing N20m meant for the salaries of officers of the Enugu State Command.

Afam Victor Banor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, the police told the Federal High Court in Lagos, was dismissed while serving in Delta State over a missing vehicle – an exhibit. While he was in detention over the offence, Banor reportedly escaped. He was not done with the police.

He allegedly surfaced in Enugu , where, armed with a false letter, he resumed service. In the course of his service, he earned salaries from 15 commands, according to the police.

As we await the court’s verdict on the matter, it is important that we ask how the police authorities manage the prime organisation vested with arrest, investigation, prosecution, and detention of suspects. If they cannot look after their own affairs, how do we expect them to deal with larger societal matters?

The population of the police is about 370,000, a minuscule fraction of Nigeria’s 167m. If the police are unable to manage police affairs, how do we expect them to protect millions of Nigerians? How many other cases, like Banor’s, are in police’s files? Could Banor have acted alone?

We are wondering if the police realise the implications of what they are telling the public. Are they confirming stories about dismissed police officers making their way back to service? Could it be that the police take finger prints of criminals, but do not have finger prints of their personnel? Why is the police pay roll not computerised as has been the case with the Nigeria Immigration Service since 2006?

How are the police using the technologies that are available to them? How did Banor’s matter get to the stage of the allegations against him? Is his case common in the police?

If the guards cannot guard themselves, how would they guard us? There is a lot to worry about from crimes committed in the police to low capabilities to detect them and forestall them. Criminals have more confidence when they know they would not be caught.

Our concern, therefore, is not with the outcome of the Banor case. Unless the police adapt best technological practices, they would neither guard us, nor the guards – themselves.

VANGUARD