A new security outfit, Elite Sheriffs Corps (ESC), has emerged in the Federal Capital Territory and the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The outfit was established following the rising security challenges in the country, according to a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) and National Commander of the Corps, Ephraim Amakulor.
Amakulor disclosed this in Abuja at the weekend during the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the first batch of the corps.
He noted that ESC members would also work directly with the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to go after tax evaders.
The new security outfit, which will serve as a fresh community policing initiative, also appointed its FCT Commander, Mai-Angwa Wakili, and will have its other offices in all the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The House of Representatives is considering the Bill to establish the new security agency in order to facilitate tax collection as well as liaise with other security services in intelligence gathering and dissemination and also assist the Nigeria Police and other agencies in the prevention and detection of crime.
The bill for an ‘Act to establish Elite Sheriff Corps to facilitate tax collection by relevant authorities in the federation to enhance budget implementation through internal revenue generation and for related matters’, was sponsored by Abdulrazaq Namdas representing Jada/Ganye/MayoBelwa/Toungo Federal Constituency of Adamawa State.
The move to set up the Corps has passed the second reading at the National Assembly and a public hearing is being considered to get the input of stakeholders as part of the legislative process.
The proposed bill read in part, “Enacted by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: There is established for the federation a body to be known as the Elite Sheriff Corps (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Corps’). The Corps shall establish offices in each geo-political zone of the federation.”
The Corps would have a board consisting of a chairman, a representative (not below a director) of the FIRS; Joint Tax Board; Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission; Accountant-General of the Federation; seven founding members of the defunct Elite Sheriffs Corps and the Commandant-General as member and secretary.
Speaking at the POP, the retired senior police officer explained that those who passed out were trained by the Nigerian police and other intelligence agencies, saying they would soon be carrying out their duties effectively.
He added, ”Everybody that is in the police has to come from within the community.
“It won’t be a matter of somebody from Sokoto being posted to Zaria, or say take him to Kaduna or Kogi. It isn’t supposed to be so but we have to manage what we have.
”These gentlemen have been trained under the leadership of FCT Commander, Mai-Angwa.
“It is now left for the government, the public and the civil society to now perfect the training of these men and women”.
Police warn new security outfit
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Sunday Babaji, who was in attendance during the ceremony, warned the corps not to carry any arms or ammunition during their discharge of duties.
Babaji, who was represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Kubwa Area Command, Muhammed Ndagi, explained that the corps was basically set up to help the community they are deployed in the area of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
He added, ”You have no right or permission to detain. Please, follow the rule of engagement in your discharge of duties.”
