IG Summons Emergency Meeting Of Police Officers

Ringim_IGMass Transfer Looms

Mark Condemns Bloodshed

DISTURBED by the frequent bomb attacks across the country, especially the explosions in Kano metropolis on Friday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hafiz Ringim, has summoned senior police officers from different formations to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for an emergency meeting.

This comes as President of the Senate, David Mark, condemned the Kano attacks, which he described as ungodly.

The Guardian learnt from police sources in Abuja yesterday that immediately the incident happened, the police boss held a brief meeting with Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) where a decision was taken that an emergency meeting of senior police officers across the country be held to fashion out new strategies to tackle the challenge.

According to sources, one of the options to be considered at the planned meeting billed to hold in the course of the week, is to strengthen the commands by carrying out a posting exercise taking cognisance of the flashpoints in the country.

In the planned exercise, officers and men, who have stayed in particular place for over four years, would be posted to other areas, while a compulsory retraining exercise for all categories of officers would begin immediately.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olusola Amore, could not be reached, but a senior police officer, confirmed the proposed meeting saying ‘’the police high command is very disturbed and may meet next week (this week) to find a way around this problem’’.

Earlier, the IGP had said in a statement that it was a coordinated attack on security installations. He also appealed for calm as full investigation has commenced to unravel the masterminds of the act.

Meanwhile, Senator David Mark has condemned bomb blasts describing the perpetrators as ungodly.

A statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Mark reiterated his call on members of the Boko Haram to sheathe their swords in the corporate interest of the nation and Nigerians.

He stressed that government was awake to issues of insecurity and urged security agencies to unravel those behind the dastardly act.

Also, in a condolence message to the management of Channels Television, Kano and Benue State governments, as well as the immediate family of the slain reporter, Enenche Akogwu, Mark urged media practitioners and security operatives not to be deterred by the current security challenges in the country.

He commiserated with the management of Channels Television on the death of one of their correspondents, describing it as shocking and pathetic.

Senator Mark, who described the late Akogwu as a patriotic Nigerian and resourceful reporter, noted that the late journalist was dedicated to his duties, adding that his landmark reports earned him the winner of the Channels TV 2011 staff of the year award.

He condoled the family of the late reporter and those that lost their loved ones in the attack and pray God Almighty to fill the vacuum created by their death.

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