Asari Dokubo: New IGP Dismisses Alliance, Says Force Won’t Partner With Outlawed Groups

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has declared that the Nigeria Police Force will not go into partnership with any outlawed group but will only engage them.

Egbetokun made this known on Friday during his maiden conference with members of the Police Management Team at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Those present at the IG conference are senior police officers from the ranks of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and Commissioners of Police, amongst others.

Responding to an inquiry concerning whether or not the police would partner with non-state actors such as the ex-militant leader, Asari Dokubo, who accused security agencies of being complicit in oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, the IG revealed that the NPF under his leadership will do no such thing.

“Of course, we will engage all groups, but we won’t partner with outlawed groups,” Egbetokun said.

Recall Dokubo, while addressing journalists after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House last Friday, accused security agencies, particularly the military, of being complicit in oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.

The ex-militant leader had claimed that ordinary citizens cannot garner the resources and technology needed to engage in oil bunkering, especially connecting pipes directly to oil heads to tap crude.

Dokubo, who denied having a private security force, said he had been instrumental in quelling the crisis in the Niger and Kaduna axis of the country.

Speaking further, the new IG stressed the need for police to be proactive to prevent rather than react to criminal activities in the country.

The IG also promised improved welfare for police officers, while reiterating his commitment to improved interagency collaboration between the police and other security agencies.