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Former IG of Police Solomon Arase Accused Of ‘Stealing’ 24 Vehicles From The Force Headquarters

Published

8 years ago

July 18, 2016

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has launched an investigation into the disappearance of some vehicles at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Idris said the vehicles were still in the premises of the Louis Edet House at least one week before his appointment as the police helmsman.

A probe has also been launched into irregular promotion in the Force by Idris.

The Acting IGP disclosed these on Sunday when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja.

He said preliminary investigations have revealed that his predecessor, Solomon Arase, alone took 24 of the vehicles, while some of the retired Deputy Inspectors-General of Police also went away with as many as they wanted.

Idris said letters have already been sent to Arase and the DIGs, adding that the former IGP was entitled to only four vehicles.

He said:

“A week before I was announced, when you look through my office window, you could see so many cars. “But the cars all disappeared when I came in.

“What I did in that was to assign a directive to the Special Investigative Unit for them to investigate all vehicles’ purchases and donations to the police in the last three years as well as their positions.

“When I took over, there were no vehicles. “I discovered that the last IG went away with 24 vehicles, including two BMWs. “The DIGs some took seven, others eight. “And they left me with an old vehicle.

“Even the one I follow the President with, the last time I went for an engagement, the President asked what I was doing with that kind of vehicle.

“The headlight has changed colour, which means it was parked for long under the rain. “But the new ones that were bought, including an Armoured BMW 7 series, he took them away. “So, I wrote to him and reminded him of the police rule.

“When a policeman retires as IG, DIG, AIG or CP, he is entitled to some vehicles.“And so, he should take his entitlement and return the extra. “I believe four vehicles are enough for an average person. “What does one need 24 vehicles for?”