Anti-corruption squad to clean up police

A 555-strong anti-corruption squad was inaugurated on Monday at police force headquarters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, as part of an effort to reform Nigeria's police force, the Lagos-based Guardian newspaper reported. Speaking at the ceremony, the Inspector-General of Police, Adebayo Tafa Balogun, said the force had the power "to arrest, detain and prepare for prosecution any police officer found to have compromised the ethics of the profession for personal gain," the daily reported. It also had the authority to stop and search police officers attempting to extort money from motorists, the daily quoted Balogun as saying. He said he himself would coordinate the activities of the unit, code named 'Ghost Squad,' to "ensure its success". Members of the squad, Balogun said, had been selected by various state commissioners of police for their integrity as police officers. He added that those who performed well would be compensated in addition to their welfare package. Balogun was appointed to head the Nigerian police in March. His appointment followed the sacking by President Olusegun Obasanjo of his predecessor, Musliu Smith, and other top brass of the force because of the climate of insecurity created by the threats of junior officers to go on strike alleging poor conditions of service.