By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, yesterday said that suspects arrested by security operatives in connection with recent security alert by the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) that terrorists were planning to attack Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, will be prosecuted according to law.

He confirmed the arrest of some suspects connected to terror plan during the weekly Ministerial Briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team at the Villa in Abuja yesterday.

He also explained reasons why security agencies engage criminals in negotiation to secure release of kidnapped victims.

Alkali urged politicians to play by the rules ahead of the elections in 2023 and avoid violent clashes during elections.

The IGP, who provided the insights while responding to questions from State House Correspondents who were at the briefing, also used the platform to intimate Nigerians with developments and achievements of the Nigeria Police Force in performing its duties.

The chief police officer confirmed the arrest of suspected terrorists and plans to have them prosecuted when he was reacting to a question on the recent security advisories issued by the

United States (US), which generated some level of panic in the federal capital a couple of weeks ago.

However, he denied insinuations that the government tried to dismiss the advisory, noting that it drew criticisms from security stakeholders because it caused apprehension on the citizens.

“Nobody has dismissed as just an alarm. Government has never dismissed it as alarm but we only said it was blown or made in such a way that our people became apprehensive to the situation or to the way it was done.

“The embassies have their own responsibilities to their citizens and they can make their advice and the government has not dismissed what has happened because they have also informed us of what they foresee as threats.

“And we on our parts have also looked at what they put as threat as something that has been with us and efforts are being made daily to see they those threats are mitigated or prevented from happening and that is what has been happening in Abuja and all over the country.

“Sometimes, these threats or things happen but nobody has dismissed it as mere alarm and a lot of efforts have been made, like you said to douse tension.

“Yes, actually arrest have been made for those, we believe are planning to commit crime in whatever form and we have done that arrest and as at when due, those arrested will be charged to court by any of the services which have them,” he said.

Explaining the reason why security operatives have had to negotiate release of kidnap victims with criminals, Baba said it would be an exercise in futility if terrorists who are armed abduct persons and the police goes in search of them under captivity using extreme force.

He made the explanations against the backdrop of over 80 Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity, including 29 students of FGC Birni Yauri who have not been set free several years after their abduction.

“You see, the issue of kidnapping is an issue that borders almost all the security agents, including the military, it is a crime that once it is committed, you have to thread very softly and with all sense of professionalism.

“If you do not rescue the person, safely, unhurt, you have not achieved anything and once somebody is in the captivity of an armed person, then you need to do a lot of things, it is not all about guns and other things.

“There are a lot of other things that can be done. We were able to rescue the whole of Forestry students in Kaduna through negotiation, we were able to rescue many others, which I can give you example, for those that we are in contact with, there are things that we are doing, it is a new crime and requires new ways of approaching it and new ways of dousing it.

“Clearly it is under study. For instance the issue of Train negotiators and so forth, were not an issue before, but now we are looking into it and we are putting our personnel to undergo such training and courses. So, we will not say hope is lost. We are still on it”.

The IGP also made a stunning revelation, saying some of the Chibok girls who have been put into family way and were rescued while wandering in the bush, actually make moves to return to their captors.

“The issue of Chibok girls you know they are coming out one after another and gradually. Sometimes they come out and say yes, we have come to see our parents and we want to go back.

“So maybe they have been assimilated or acclimatized with the situation and being indoctrinated and had become part and parcel of those who have abducted them and so forth. But like as I’m saying, it is a continuous effort and even last month, you saw a Chibok girl coming out with two or three kids and said she only came to greet her parents and she wants to go back. So, we are still on it, there is hope,” he assured.

The IGP further advised political parties, politicians and their supporters to stay within the space granted by the law while carrying out their campaigns, avoiding activities and actions that might incite breakdown of law and order.

His warning came a few hours after scores of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, were injured by suspected political thugs who attacked his convoy in Maiduguri, Borno State.

He gave the warning while responding to questions bothering on recent attacks on the campaign rallies and political events in Rivers, Kaduna and Borno States during the weekly ministerial briefing at the presidential villa on Thursday.

On the Wednesday attack in Maiduguri, Baba said the state police spokesperson might have reached a conclusion too quickly in his assessment.

He explained that assessment from the state PRO might have been too hasty and not conclusive, hence the need to establish a team to make holistic assessment from the various narratives to ascertain the true picture and prevent a reoccurrence.

“On how realistic it is in stopping the issue of violence in our political agenda either in rallies or campaigns. Well, it takes two to tango. There are laid down means, ways procedures to do rallies and campaigns.

“On our part, we have gone out to appeal to politicians to play the game by the rules. And at the same time allow us to regulate political processions, campaigns and rallies, to avoid clashes and so forth,” he said.

Meanwhile, Baba said the alleged abuse of power by local security outfit Ebubeagu in Ebonyi state and others in oppressing opposition, is being checkmated.

“I think I have even made announcements earlier than even their letter. On the day of the signing of the peace accord, I observed that we have not less than 64 Security outfits that have been created by different state governors with names for different purposes.

“But most importantly, the crime prevention and space is so wide, that we are encouraging everybody to come in. And that is why we said policing is something that requires the contribution of everybody.

“So while these outfits have been created to checkmate crime and criminality, we have also told them that they are not to be used for politicking or to be used for political reasons”, he said.

The police boss acknowledged that some aspects of police duties have been commercialized to generate more revenue through the Police Specialized Automated Services (POSSAB) portal but the service has been abused.

He, however, threw out the idea that unscrupulous persons can use the portal to gain protection from the police.

The IGP said he was against the withdrawal from security personnel being attached to VIPs, saying some of them might be exposed to dangers.

“On the issue of security personnel being attached to VIPs to be withdrawn, for every rule there are exemptions, these people need to be protected but we try to do it with all sense of humility. VIPs need to be protected because some people are really, if left unattended to can be easy target and we will make too much noise.

“So we’re not withdrawing personnel, or I am not of the view of completely withdrawing security aides from VIPs. But that we will manage what we have and also checkmate crime and criminality without actually leaving them bare,” he said.