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Political Scientists Task Security Agencies On International Best Practices

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Lecturers of Political Science in Nigerian universities have called on security agencies in the country to imbibe international best practices in the discharge of their duties.
The lecturers made the call under the ageis of  the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) in an interview granted by its National President, Prof. Aloysius Okolie.
Okolie told journalists yesterday in Nsukka that imbibing international best practices would enable security agencies to earn the confidence of citizens.
He added that it would also assist them  in managing crises and protests professionally.
“The alleged shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at Lekki recently by soldiers is a testimony of deficit of international best practices among our security agencies.
“In developed countries, where security agencies imbibe international best practices, citizens carry out protests running into weeks and months without anyone hearing of any protester being killed.
“NPSA condemns in its entirety the Lekki shooting of these unarmed protesters and urge the Federal Government to bring perpetrators  to book to serve as deterrent to others,” he said.
The president noted that  the recent nationwide youth protests were not only as a result of  brutality but also long years of suffering by citizens because of poor leadership and governance.
“High level of police brutality, corruption, poverty, unemployment and lack of accountability are indications that  the political class has failed to live up to its constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
The don urged the various governments to ensure that the demands of the youth were religiously implemented so as not to give them any reason to go back to the streets to protest.
“Government should do everything within its capacity to ensure that the five listed demands of the #EndSARS are addressed and fully implemented.
“The reform in police should centre on respect for citizens’ fundamental human rights, respect to sanctity of life and imbibing of international best practices.
“More people should be recruited into the police, their salaries increased in order to boost their morale and  prevent them from extorting the public,” he stated.
Okolie, who is also the Dean, Faculty of Social Science in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN), commended the youth in the country for the protests aimed at ending police brutality and ensuring police reform.
He added that the protests were as well condemning poor and corrupt leadership that had lasted for decades.
“The ills in police simply mirror the decay in the country’s governance structure.
“Acts of  impunity and recklessness in breaching constitution by some political class shows serious deficit in governance in this country,” he said.

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BPP Saves  Nigeria N1.9trillion from Contracts  Fraud  – DG

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The Bureau of Public Procurement ,( BPP,)  Thursday said  it’s activities  on  Contract monitoring has
 saved Nigeria  over N1.9trillion from contracts fraud  over the years.
The Director – General , of the agency ;  Dr Adebowale Adedokun stated this  during  a budget defence session the  BPP had with the Senate Committee   on Public Procurement in the National Assemby .
According to he BPP Boss  the agency set up 17 years ago , precisely on the 14th of June 2007 , has been on the fore front  of  the war against corruption in the country, particularly those that have to do , with contracts awards , inflation and diversion.
His words ” BPP has within the last seventeen years been changing the landscape of public procurement in Nigeria by ensuring transparency , fairness and efficiency on contracts awards and execution .
” BPP has been saving the country from loss of at least  N40billion annually to contracts inflation , diversion of public fund and poor service delivery.
“Records from our price intelligence unit indicate that total money prevented so far  from being diverted to personal pockets from contracts award  is N1.9trillion .
” BPP has over the years been significantly contributing to increase revenue generation by the relevant agencies like  the Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ), Nigeria Pension Commission ( PENCOM) etc .
 Dr Adedokun however lamented that the budget envelope  of N1.57 billion for the agency for the year 2025 is far below it’s  proposed N,63.5bn for Capital Expenditures.and may likely affect  the agency’s  proposed  projects .
The said   sum according to him , will not help in any way , help  to solve the accommodation problem being faced by Staff of the Bureau , replacing moribund project monitoring vehicles bought since 2008   and  executing the E – procurement programme that is in the pipeline .
However in their comments , members of the committee chaired by Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (  Ondo North) ,  wondered how BPP with just 158 workers, would effectively and efficiently monitor contract awards and execution of over 800 government agencies under its purview .
The Committee through the Chairman therefore , directed the DG of BPP to increase the staff strength  of the agency and add the overhead for new employees in their  2025 budget
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Osun Park Management Chairman Shot By Police, Union Alleges

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The Chairman of the Osun State Park Management System (OSTMS), Comrade Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, was reportedly shot by officers of the state police command in the late hours of Monday.
The union, in a statement issued by its Secretary, Mikaela Popoola, in Osogbo, confirmed that its chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody.
According to him, the shooting of the chairman occurred while in police custody, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting call for a thorough investigation.
The union scribe, who reiterated that the chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody, called on members of OSTMS not to take the law into their own hands.
He stressed, “We must maintain peace across the parks while we take the matter up with the appropriate authorities.”
While confirming the shooting, a top Police officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “Alowonle was arrested in connection with the alleged killing of one Oyewale in 2022 and the assault of some residents on Monday night.
“He was shot while attempting to escape and has been taken to a hospital for treatment.”
According to him, Alowonle was maimed by the police gunshot, and a Hummer bus with registration number AWK 480YD, an unregistered Nissan Almera, and a Toyota Sienna with registration number GNN 595 XD were also recovered from him.
“During the arrest, a Barrett pistol, six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and one expended empty shell were recovered from Alowonle’s private unregistered Toyota Highlander jeep,” the officer said.
“Alowonle and his boys conveyed themselves in a Previn bus with registration number RBC 275XK, but a distress call to the police led to his arrest. He was rearrested at Susi area of Oke-Baale, Osogbo, alongside eight others before being taken to the state police command.”
Meanwhile, all possible efforts made to reach the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, for comment on the incident proved abortive as calls put to her mobile phone were not answered.

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Police Kill Notorious Cultist In Rivers, Recover Gun, Ammunition

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The Rivers State Police Command has announced that its operatives neutralised a suspected kidnapper and cultist, identified as Gbarani Bume, in the Luawii Community of Khana Local Government Area (LGA).
Bume, also known as Pelele, was a member of the infamous Iceland cult group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA along with his gang.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko said that Pelele and his gang attempted to kidnap a site engineer working in Luawii when the police, acting on a tip-off, swooped in. Upon sighting the police, the suspects opened fire, but Pelele was fatally wounded after a fierce exchange of gunfire and later died.
The statement reads: “The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime, neutralising a notorious cultist and kidnapper, Gbarani Bume, a.k.a. Pelele, a native of Bere Community in Khana LGA.
“He was a member of the Iceland Cult Group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA.
“On the 15th of November 2024, operatives from the Bori Division, acting on a tip-off, were mobilised to Luawii Community where Pelele and his gang were attempting to kidnap a site engineer.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a fierce crossfire, during which Pelele was fatally wounded. His accomplices escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the suspect include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 10 rounds of live ammunition.”
She added, “An investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the other fleeing gang members and bring them to justice.”
The state police spokesperson stated that this operation underscores the Command’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring public safety in the state.

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