…says the police should be saved from institutional embarrassment
By PHILIP EKE, YENAGOA
Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has condemned the ongoing controversy between the Nigeria Police and Senator Isa Misau, saying the corruption allegation and counter allegation between both parties is unhealthy and antithetical to the image of the Police institution.
Dickson was reacting to the allegation by Misau, who is the chairman of the senate committee on Navy that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris receives gratification from corporate organizations for the provision of security.
On the other hand, authorities of the Nigerian Police have declared the lawmaker a deserter for leaving the force to contest an election without following due process or getting the right permission.
But reacting to the development, Gov. Dickson expressed deep concern about the ongoing controversy, noting that, if not checked, is capable of putting both the Senate and the Nigeria Police in a bad light, as well as bringing them to public ridicule.
Governor Dickson noted that, the ongoing allegations and counter allegations by the Senator and Police IG, if not checked are capable of undermining the Police and Senate, which the Governor describes as critical institutions of state that must remain sacred!
The Governor, therefore, called on Misau to withdraw his allegations against the Nigeria Police, while also calling on the police authorities to refrain from making further statements or taking further action on the Senator.
The governor stated that, the police has a lot of problems and needs the support of all, especially serving and former officers to help motivate men and officers of the Police force, who are underfunded, but are doing a difficult job in a difficult situation to safeguard the country .
”Those of us who have passed through the force have a duty to work with the police to make it strong and better. Those of us who have been in and out of uniform owe the organisation the support that it desires from people, who have had the privilege to serve the Police.
On no account should we denigrate the Police for what we owe the Police is support to enable it overcome the multifarious problems confronting the Police which in my opinion is a critical institution of state” he said.
