Police screen new EFCC operatives

The Force headquarters has commenced evaluations for personnel that would be re-deployed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following the withdrawal of police operatives that had spent over five years at the anti-graft agency.

It was gathered that police personnel that applied to serve in the commission were being interviewed and assessed by senior police officers to determine their qualifications and suitability.

The EFCC depends largely on the activities of the police detectives on secondment to the commission for its operations.

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, had in July 2015 written to the EFCC indicating his plan to recall police officers who had served in the commission for five years and above.

In the letter, Arase directed the EFCC to compile a list of all officers in the category, and forward same to his office without delay.

Findings indicate that no less than 280 policemen on secondment to the anti-graft Commission were to be recalled to the force and replaced with fresh personnel who passed the ongoing assessment and interview.

The 280 policemen are among 400 policemen who are serving in various capacities with the anti-graft agency.

Findings indicate that some of the policemen have been with the commission since its inception in 2004.

The commission has a total of 600 civilian operatives trained abroad who work alongside the police personnel to carry out the task of investigating financial crimes in the country.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole confirmed on Tuesday, that some policemen were undergoing evaluations and interviews preparatory to being deployed in the EFCC.

She said, “Yes, a number of policemen are undergoing tests and evaluations for re-deployment to the EFCC.

Those being tested were the ones that applied to serve in the EFCC and if they passed the evaluations, they would be posted to the commission to replace those that were being transferred out of the agency.”

Report By,

Adelani Adepegba


Source,
Punch News