From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), has expressed doubt over the capabilities and competence of the Commissioners of Police in Delta and Imo states, over the incessant killings and assaults against police officers across the country.
Arase, while noting that the killings in some states across the nation has become worrisome, called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, to take another look on the capacity of state command leaderships in the country.
The PSC chair, while condemning the attacks, noted that the slain officers were also Nigerians who he said deserve the support, encouragement and protection of the citizens.
The Police Force headquarters, Abuja, had, last Saturday, said six officers were killed in an ambush in Delta State by armed assailants, while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest in the state, while six others went missing-in-action.
Arase, in the statement signed by the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said there must be consequences for the avoidable incidents.
He said: “Any state Commissioner of Police found incompetent, derelict, and operationally/tactically porous should be eased out to avoid these huge police casualties.
“The commission wishes to condole with the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun, on this unfortunate developments, especially at a time when all hands are supposed to be on deck to rid the nation of militancy and banditry.”
“The commission had more than a fair share of these ugly developments in recent time and calls for integrated intelligence policing.”
While condoling with the families of the slain officers, Arase said the time has come for state command commissioners to rise up to the occasion, just as he enjoined the serving officers not to be demoralised by these ugly developments, but to reenact their indomitable fighting spirit that the Force is known for, to ward off the new wave of assaults.