GOVERNMENT OF NASARAWA STATE
 
BEING TEXT OF A SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, ENGR. ABDULLAHI A. SULE, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF NASARAWA STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY INTO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE, LAFIA: MONDAY, 19TH OCTOBER, 2020
 
 
1.    His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State;
 
2.    The Right Honourable Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly;
 
3.    The Honourable Chief Judge of Nasarawa        State;
 
4. Principal Officers and Members of the State House of Assembly present;
 
5. Members of the State Executive and Security Councils;
 
6.    The Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State;
 
7.    The Head of Civil Service;
 
8.    Special Advisers;
 
9.    His Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs;
 
10.  The State Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC);
 
11.   Permanent Secretaries;
 
12.  The Chairman and members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry;
13. Chairmen and Chief Executives of Federal and State Commissions, Boards and Parastatals;
 
14.  Executive Chairmen of Local Government and Development Areas;
 
15.   Gentlemen of the Press;
 
16.  Ladies and gentlemen.
 
I am delighted to welcome you all to the inauguration of the Commission of Enquiry to look into the activities of some personnel of the Nigerian Police Force.  
 
2.         You would recall that in the last few weeks, our dear country was engulfed with series of protests seemingly against the activities of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force with the attendant security implication.  As a responsible and responsive Government, it became necessary to arrest the situation to avoid its degeneration into a state of anarchy and chaos.  Accordingly, the National Economic Council meeting was convened on Thursday, 15th October, 2020 under the chairmanship of His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  The resolution arrived at the meeting obliged State Governors to constitute Commission of Enquiry pursuant to Commission of Enquiry Act CAP 25 of Northern Nigeria with the view to carryout in-depth investigation into the activities of the Police Force towards stemming the escalation of the situation.
 
3.         As you are aware, the concern shown and expressed by well-meaning citizens of the country, including those in the diaspora, and the peculiarity of the sporadic protest has made the setting up of this Commission not only inevitable, but obligatory.  This is more so that some disgruntled elements and desperate politicians have cashed in on the situation with the intent of destabilizing the All Progressives Congress (APC) Administration under our amiable leader, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at a time when steady progress and development is being recorded in all facets of human endeavours. 
 
4.         It is saddening to observe that even when the concerned unit was dismantled by the Inspector General of Police, the protest appeared to continue unabated. This must stop.    
 
5.         I am encouraged by the presence of the Chairman and Members of this all-important Commission of Enquiry whose appointments came without prior consultation. Your readiness to serve our country at all times demonstrates your statesmanship and love for the peace, stability, progress and development of not only Nasarawa State, but Nigeria as a whole.  
 
6.         Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, considering the issue at stake, eminent jurist and time-tested security and public administrators, among others were carefully selected to serve on this important Commission to ensure broad-based appraisal of the situation. I congratulate you, Mr. Chairman and Members of this Commission for earning the confidence and trust of the Government and people of Nasarawa State.  I also thank you for accepting to serve the State in this capacity.
 
7.         To carry out its assignment, the Commission of Enquiry will be guided by the following terms of reference:
i.            To receive and investigate complaints of Police brutality or related extra judicial killings;
 
ii.          To evaluate evidence and draw conclusions on validity of complaints; and
 
iii.        To recommend compensation and other remedial measures.
 
 
8.         The Commission is given six months from the date of its inaugural sitting to complete its assignment.  With the calibre of Members of this Commission, I believe that the Government and people of Nasarawa State and, indeed, the Nigerian Police Force will benefit immensely from your intellectual and professional wisdom.
 
9.         I wish to state for the records, our appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the continued support it is giving to Nasarawa State Government in the area of maintenance of law and order.  No doubt, this robust relation we share with the Federal Government of Nigeria has made it possible for the State to benefit in the establishment of the following:
 
i.            A Special Joint Military Operations which was codenamed Ayum Kpatuma or Cat Race with the operation headquarters in Nasarawa State to take care of the entire North-central zone.
 
ii.         Operation Whirl Stroke Special Force, with its Command Headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State and operational bases in the States to address farmers herders conflict in the zone.
 
iii.       Establishment of 123 Special Force Battalion in Doma. The Barrack, which is fully operational is serving as the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command in the zone.
 
iv.       The establishment of two Military Super Camps at Mararaban-Udege in Nasarawa and Kanyehu in Toto Local Government Areas.
v.          Air Force Base in Lafia; and
 
vi.       The siting of the 38-Police Mobile Force, Akwanga; 58-PMF, Lafia, 69-PMF in Toto and Police Mobile Force Training College, Endeh Hills, Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the State.
 
10.    It is our hope that this co-operation we have enjoyed from the Federal Government, Security Agencies and other critical stakeholders will not only be sustained, but extended to this all-important Commission of Enquiry and, indeed, other processes that will contribute to reform of the Nigerian Police and also bring about peace and stability in Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large.
 
11.    At this juncture, I urge all and sundry to avail the Commission their maximum support and cooperation towards a successful assignment.
 
12.    In conclusion, Government wishes to appeal to the good people of Nasarawa State to continue to exercise restraint and live in peace with one another, so as we continue to live up to our status as a peaceful State.
 
13.    Finally, let me commend the Inspector General of Police for his foresight in instituting a new initiative in combating crime and criminality in the country tagged Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).
 
14.    May God continue to protect Nasarawa State. 
 
15.    Thank you and may God bless us all.

It is good that governors are taking up the directive of the Vice President toward taking charge of their state police force. This is a great show of commitment and the youths should allow the government to their job as since we have given them our demands.

The state governors of every state should make the process transparent and fair. It's necessary if they intend to win our trust .