We’ll not negotiate with Boko Haram, IG vows

As the wave of violent attacks by Islamic fundamentalists, Boko Haram, in some states in the northern part of the country continues, the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Hafiz Ringim, declared in Kano yesterday that the Police would not negotiate with them.

"We would not negotiate with criminals," the police boss said.

Ringim disclosed this while reacting to questions from reporters at the Police Academy, Wudil, shortly after the passing out parade of 414 cadet officers, comprising 203 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) and 211 inspectors, who underwent an 18-month training course at the academy.

The fundamentalists had claimed responsibility for violent clashes in Jos, Plateau State and the spate of killings in Maiduguri, Borno State.

One of the most prominent of such cases was the assassination of the gubernatorial candidate of All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), AlhajiModu Fannami Gubio and six others.

The IG said the Police would not relent in its effort to rid the country of the remaining elements of the Islamic sect.

The Police chief further stated that efforts were being made to provide a level- playing ground for all contestants in the forthcoming general election.

He said: "The general election is the prerogative of the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Government, headed by President Goodluck Jonathan, has said that what it wants is to conduct a free and fair election. My mandate is to provide a level-playing ground for all contestants, and that is what I am trying to do to the best of my ability.

"On its side, the Federal Government has done everything possible to train, equip, support and fund the Nigeria Police Force. We are doing the best we can to educate the members of the public on their rights.

"God willing, we shall provide and will continue to provide general security and a free and fair atmosphere for all to display their wares and be voted by the electorate.

"The election shall not be an exercise in futility but an exercise where every eligible voter will be allowed to come out and vote freely for people and parties of their choice."

Ringim also disclosed that a committee, made up of eminent Nigerians, including retired police officers, had been set up to draw a programme for the repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force, pointing out that he, as the Inspector General of Police, was doing his best to implement the recommendations of the reform committee.

He said: "So far, we have gone a long way in the implementation of the approved white paper by the Federal Government, and that includes training, infrastructure, logistics and orientation, and so far, as you can see, we are doing just that.

"Basically, this is to develop the Nigeria Police and make it function in line with the aspiration of the Nigerian society, as well as the good practice of law enforcement as it obtains all over the world.

"The ceremony you saw today is part and parcel of the Nigeria police reform, which is to develop and produce functional, actionable manpower that would go in line with democratic practices globally."