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State police’ll worsen insecurity, says ex-IGP Idris
In this interview, former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, discussed the security challenges in the country and what should be done to increase the productivity of the Nigeria Police, instead of creating state police.
Is the Nigeria Police Force over-stretched?
The strength of the police, compared to the Nigerian population, obviously, we are over-stretched.
What was the police population at the time you left?
When I left compared to now, the police is operating at very low-level population.
What were some of the things that you would want the IGP to do to improve the police force?
The issue is that police are over-stretched, they are operating at a very low level, compared to the population of this country. Within a period of time, if we can increase the population of the police to tackle the challenges we have in the country, that will assist a lot.
Is there improvement in the welfare of the police?
No, like I said, taking consideration of the population of the country, the police are over-stretched presently. We need to do something to increase the police, for them to adequately tackle the level of insecurity in the country.
Does that mean much hasn’t been done to help in combating insecurity in the country?
Obviously!! A lot has been done but I think more has to be done to tackle insecurity in the country.
What does government need to do to make the police more productive?
A lot needs to be done to improve the strength of the police for them to adequately tackle crime in the country.
Do you think its necessary to improve the welfare of the police, like salary?
A lot needs to be done to address the challenges of the police in Nigeria, a lot needs to be done.
Do you support the establishment of state police?
When you say state police, you are creating another problem to tackle an existing problem. We should address the issue of the inadequacy of the police compared to the country’s population.
What do you think of using a female team to combat insecurity?
Of course, we have policewomen, they can use police women to tackle banditry. We have policewomen. We can create that unit within the police, to take care of banditry.
With many regional security outfits, what are the implications and would the trend end insecurity in Nigeria?
To establish a unit, you have to train and arm the men; it’s not just establishing a unit, you train and equip them to tackle these criminal situations. They have to undergo training and, once you do that, its going to be a very difficult situation.
What was your greatest challenge while in office?
In this country, in tackling insecurity in the country, we face the same challenge, and you have to look at the issue of recruitment, training of men. You have to train people to tackle the situation. Presently, a lot of them have left the service, I don’t know what is on ground but we need more policemen, obviously.
You said a lot has to be done, can you itemise these things?
One is the training of men. We need to train policemen, we need to train them to tackle insecurity, then equip them, give them the equipment to tackle insecurity.
Are you saying that police are poorly equipped?
I am not saying that they are not well equipped but you train them and equip them to tackle their responsibility.
Recently, we have had cases of attacks on police station, especially in the East; what do you think can be done to boost trust in police?
We need to tackle attacks on policemen. That is a very serious crime, and until we look into those attacks on policemen, the morale could continue to be dampened.
What can be done by the force to gain the trust of Nigerians?
I think you should talk of government. What should government do? I think government should look into the attacks on policemen because it dampens the morale of the police; we have to look at those issues and study them deeply. Has anybody done any study on those?
What has life been like after retirement?
You can see my life, this is my house.
What has been your experience after retirement?
I have been resting and resting.
Do you have any political ambition?
Politics? No, no, no. I am resting now.
Your advice to the current IGP?
They need to study the attacks on policemen because that thing is very dangerous. It dampens the morale of serving police officers and it affects even their input. They need to tackle it urgently as those who are serving would not put in their full effort. This issue of regional security is also dampening the moral of serving policemen and I think that government should also tackle it urgently.
There have been rumours of police men buying their accessories how true is it?
I don’t believe it, rumours can be true or false but a policeman does not buy uniform.
Police Service Commission or the NPF, who is responsible for the recruitment of police?
From the previous experience I had, the government recruits police. They recruit and train them. The government can be Police Service Commission or the Nigeria Police Force.
Your advice to government on how to end insecurity in Nigeria.
Let them tackle adequately the requirements of the police. If they handle that adequately, this country would be adequately policed. To address police in this country, you talk of need of requitement, training them, arming them. And welfare is very important because you need to give them welfare.
Is welfare the reason why the police collect money for bail despite stating that bail is free?
Money for bail? In which country? Bail is free.
Last year, there were agitations for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS); do you support it?
From the name what does SARS mean? They set them up for a purpose. Are we still facing the problem? If we are still facing the problem, it’s just to train and equip those units and make them more effective.
Is there any form of gender discrimination in the police force?
The issue on ground has to do with police rules and regulations that forbid women from getting pregnant before marriage. But the matter is being addressed and its in court.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the demise of its Enugu State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Franklin O Agbakoba.
This is contained in a statement issued by FRSC Deputy Corps Commander in-charge of Enugu State Operations, DCC Kyrian C Okolo, on Friday in Enugu.
“FRSC Enugu State Sector Command received the sad news of the demise of CC Franklin Agbakoba on Thursday, July 30,2026.
“The late Sector Commander died at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu where he was receiving treatment.
“His corpse have been deposited at the Eastern Medical Center, Enugu,” he said.
Until his death,CC Franklin Agbakoba made inter-agency collaboration and partnership his legacy and promoted safer roads within Enugu State.
The family’s head, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, made the demand during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
He described his uncle as a visionary leader who was wrongly punished for a coup he had no role in.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalized Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that his uncle’s tenure as Head of State was brief and ended violently.
“He occupied the seat of head of state for only six months, and he was taken away from us.
“Not because of a sin he committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup.”
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death resulted from his position rather than any wrongdoing on his part.
“Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life,” he said.
He expressed hope that his appeal would reach those with the power to act on it.
“Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening to you tonight,” he said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 16 to July 29, 1966, taking charge in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup that had claimed the lives of the country’s political leadership.
He survived that coup and helped crush the mutiny, but his later decision to centralise power under Decree 34, along with his failure to prosecute the plotters, fuelled resentment among northern officers.
He was killed on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular said the order took immediate effect and formed part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.
The memorandum read, “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
It further directed all affected officers to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence and other official materials.
The memo stated, “Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
The memorandum added, “Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators could face disciplinary measures.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners
The Enugu State Government says it has intensified fight against quackery across all health professions, particularly in the laboratory practice within the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, revealed this on Friday while receiving the National President of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Enugu.
Ugwu decried the growing trend of unprofessional practices and establishments where laboratory services are combined with pharmacies, patient treatment areas, provision stores, and other unauthorised activities.
According to him, such practices are unacceptable and dangerous to public health.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate quackery especially in laboratory practices and operations through sustained monitoring, regulation and enforcement.
The commissioner also commended the association for its dedication to promoting excellence in medical laboratory science and public health advocacy.
He assured the team of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with professional bodies whose activities align with the government’s vision of delivering accessible, quality, and people-centred healthcare services across the state.
Ugwu stressed the remarkable strides recorded under the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah in transforming the health sector, including investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, primary healthcare revitalisation and improved service delivery.
He urged the association to remain steadfast in upholding professionalism and ethical standards, emphasising that stronger partnerships between government and healthcare professionals remained essential in building a healthier Enugu State.
Earlier, Ifeanyi, who made the visit with some members of his national executive and Enugu State Chapter of AMLSN, briefed the commissioner on the association’s forthcoming AMLSN Annual Public Health Lecture.
He solicited the state government’s goodwill, support and participation in the event, which would be held in Enugu.
“The annual lecture is aimed at advancing quality healthcare delivery, promoting public health awareness, and fostering stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and government institutions,” he said.
He noted that the association remained committed to improving professional standards and supporting initiatives that would enhance healthcare outcomes for residents of Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
…Inaugurates Amufie Town Union executives
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government has urged Town Union President Generals (PGs) across the state to adopt inclusive leadership that promotes peace, unity and sustainable development in their communities.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Chief Charles Egumgbe, gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly elected 14-member executives of the Amufie Town Union in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
The executive committee, led by the President-General, Engr. Kenneth Okechukwu Ogili, was presented with certificates of return at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
Egumgbe urged the new leadership to ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with members, stressing that women and youths must be carried along in decision-making.
He advised the executives against operating exclusive caucuses, noting that town union affairs should be conducted openly through regular meetings where decisions are collectively taken.
“You must carry everybody along. Let your policies be all-inclusive and ensure that members are well informed about your activities. Matters should be tabled before the executive and decisions reached collectively,” he said.
The commissioner warned against abuse of office, particularly in matters relating to community land, stressing that anyone found working against the interest of the community could be removed under the state’s Town Union law.
“I don’t know whether you will receive remuneration because this is service to humanity. But whatever you do, don’t sell community land illegally. Land has a way of fighting for itself,” he cautioned.
Responding, the new inaugurated President-General, Ogili, pledged to lead with transparency and work closely with his executive to promote peace, unity and development in Amufie.
He said the administration would prioritise security by strengthening the neighbourhood watch and collaborating with security agencies to flush out criminals from identified flashpoints.
Ogili also promised to maintain a cordial working relationship with the traditional ruler of the community.
“The Igwe is our father. We have different constitutional roles, and there will be no conflict between us. We shall work harmoniously for the peace and progress of Amufie,” he said.
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