Police IG Solomon Arase says police can't protect all Nigerians

Inspector-General of Police- Solomon Arase (Punch)

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has said the police can't protect all Nigerians at the moment. Arase said the current number of policemen in Nigeria is far too inadequate to provide security to all Nigerians.Speaking in Jos while delivering a public lecture, Arase explained that the size of the Nigeria police currently put at 305 policemen and women is not enough to guarantee the security of Nigerians.

“The expectations of members of the public in Nigeria are many and varied and exceed the resources and support given to the police. Failures on the part of the police are easily observed and widely reported and condemned while achievements of the police are rarely recognized, applauded and rewarded," Arase said.
Speaking further, he said, 'police are in constant contact with dangerous persons and in dangerous situations. The Nigeria Police has remained steadfast to its responsibility of guaranteeing the safety of the lives and property of the citizens even at the risk of their own lives.'
While explaining the decrease in the workforce, Arase explained that a total of 278 officers died between January 2014 and December in 2015 while 194 others sustained varying degree of injuries.