Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector General of Police, has demanded a probe into the illegal purchase and distribution of cars by his predecessors.
The probe was necessary because of the findings that revealed retiring officers, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, were in the habit of buying vehicles, and appropriating it for their own personal use.
A special investigation panel, which was created for the purpose of the probe, had identified and recovered 19 police vehicles from former IG, Solomon Arase.
The vehicles that were discovered were illegally appropriated for his personal use despite being allocated four vehicles for retirement purpose. Some of the vehicles include a Sports Utility Vehicle, assorted Sedans, and pick-up vans.
It was also gathered that efforts are being made to recover other vehicles from the former Inspector General of Police, while many other vehicles were recovered from other retired DIGs.
The SIP led by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ali Amodu (rtd), said the recovered vehicles were to be distributed to newly appointed Commissioners of Police and AIGs.
According to a source who spoke to Punch newspapers, “we are making efforts in our investigations to trace the vehicles. We were able to trace 24 cars to the former IG and we have recovered 19 already. He has yet to release the remaining five, but we won’t rest until we recover all the vehicles.
“We have pictures of the vehicles, and they have been documented so he cannot deny the recovery because it is a fact.”
Idris had earlier on made these allegations against the ex-IG, Solomon Arase, but he denied vehemently saying he didn’t leave with any vehicle, and had no need for 24 cars.
Solomon claimed the allegations were untrue, and meant to dent his reputation. He clamoured for an investigation into the matter as he had no need to misappropriate vehicles.
He stated that all vehicles bought during his tenure were given to the state commands, and other appropriate units in the Nigerian Police Force.
Solomon Arase was the eighteenth Inspector General of Police, who was appointed during Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, and he retired from the force on June 21, 2016.
