Owners of the 73 vehicles destroyed during the June 16 bomb attack on the Louis Edet House headquarters of the Nigeria Police, in Abuja, can heave a sigh of relief as the Minister of Police Affairs, Capt. Caleb Olubolade (retd.) on Tuesday said they would be given new ones.
The minister said the move was to ease the hardship being faced by the vehicle owners since their vehicles were either burnt or severely damaged during the attack on the police headquarters.

“We are going to replace the vehicles destroyed during the bomb blast at the force headquarters. The identities of the owners can be easily traced, so that is not a problem. We don’t want them to undergo any hardship due to the loss of their vehicles,” he said while briefing senior police officers at the police headquarters.

A lone bomber suspected to be a member of the violent Boko Haram sect had on June 16 attacked the Nigeria Police Headquarters in the Federal Capital City. One policeman and the lone bomber died in the attack in which 33 vehicles were totally burnt and 40 others destroyed.

The bomber was said to have followed the convoy of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, but was diverted to the car park where the bomb exploded few minutes thereafter.

The violent Islamic sect, founded in 2002, is currently executing a campaign of bombings in the northern region of the country and the Federal Capital Territory.

At least 750 people had been killed in the several attacks on police barracks, military installations and drinking joints in Maiduguri, Borno State, where the sect was founded, and other northern cities and Abuja.

Olubolade said he would address the problems and challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force and would pursue the reform agenda to make the force more professional and focused in the discharge of its duties.

He promised to ensure that the welfare of the rank and file was taken care of, adding that the government would fully train and equip the men and officers to confront the security challenges in the country.

The minister said he would not allow other security agencies to usurp police functions but promised to strengthen inter-service cooperation among the various security organs.

“I know that the police conduct operations within the country and they perform well outside the country, even winning medals. I know that they can do better in Nigeria. Equipping the force is required for its operations and within the one year I was in the council (FEC), I know that the President approved many projects for the police because he has confidence in the service. I promise that Nigerians will get the best of the police,” he said.

He visited the police headquarters after a tour of some police facilities in Abuja.

Olubolade also said that sporting activities would be given priority to keep the rank and file strong and alert, while intensifying local and foreign training for the men in line with modern policing practices.

He said he would embark on a nationwide tour of state police commands and colleges to see the state of things and get information on their needs and challenges.

  http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201107205303612

Good news mostly to owners of old vehicles, to him that is much forgiven os much loved.