The Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun says he is ready to weed out corruption from the Force.
He therefore called on Police Strategic Managers comprising DIGs, AIGs, Command CPs to brace up to drive a professionally competent force, to be hinged on the rule of law.
He warned that under his watch, complacency and indifference will not be tolerated from senior officers.
He has also ordered the establishment of Quick Response Squads to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head on.
Giving his inaugural address to the stategic managers at a meeting on Friday, the IGP said, “My esteemed strategic police managers, let us embark on this journey together, with a shared vision of having a Police Force that is professionally competent, service driven, rule of law compliant, and people friendly, a police force that will effectively support the agenda of government for economic recovery, growth, as well as social and political development of our dear country Nigeria.
“I am deeply honored to address this gathering of esteemed Senior Police Managers who represent the backbone of our nation’s policing architecture. Together, we shall embark on a mission to uphold justice, fairness, protect human dignity, and restore standards and values of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Let me make one thing abundantly clear, the days of complacency and indifference are over. We are no longer mere enforcers of the law, we are the vanguards of justice. It is our duty to ensure that every citizen, regardless of his/her background, feels safe and secure at all times.
“Without mincing words, our nation faces an array of complex security challenges that demand our unwavering commitment and resolve. We stand at a critical juncture where the trust of the people in our institution hangs in the balance.
“It is our duty to re-ignite that trust, to be the beacon of hope in times of despair, and to foster an environment where safety and justice are not mere illusions, but the foundations upon which our nation thrives.
“One of the foremost thrust of my administration is upholding the sanctity of our legal framework with a view to standardizing the policing profession viz-a-viz driving transformative agenda, embracing the principles of transparency, accountability, and professionalism, while upholding the rights and welfare of both our officers and the communities we serve.
“The Nigeria Police Force under my command, in its quest to stamp out violent crimes and their detrimental and debilitating effects on the security and safety of our society, will forge ahead to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head on with the establishment of a specialized Quick Intervention Squad which will comprise combat ready Police Mobile Force personnel with effective and enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and violent crime reduction strategies.
“This will lead to a review of the engagement patterns of the Police Mobile Force in a bid to restore the days of glory of the Police Mobile Force as a punching arm of the Police.
“Furthermore, we shall embrace innovation and technology as powerful allies in our fight against crime. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and so we must adapt to the evolving landscape of crime. Criminals today are more sophisticated, more organized, and more ruthless than ever before.
“We will further leverage cutting-edge tools, data analytics, and intelligence networks to stay one step ahead of those who seek to disrupt the peace. This we will do through a robust and effective human and technical intelligence gathering process to enhance our capacity.
“By harnessing the power of technology, we can make our streets safer, our investigations more efficient, and our communities more resilient. We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be
proactive in our approaches by equally collaborating with other security agencies (both domestic and international) to strengthen our intelligence network and dismantle criminal enterprises from their core.
“As leaders, we must be attuned to the needs of our officers. They face immense challenges on the frontlines, risking their lives to protect our communities. We will make a case for improved welfare for these men and ensure they have the resources, trainings, and support necessary to carry out their duties with utmost professionalism within the ambit of the law.
“Their physical and mental well-being must be our priority, for they are the true custodians of peace. To this end, my administration will intensify collaboration with relevant stakeholders for the resuscitation of the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical services which will serve as a confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers. Its services will be online, telephone based, as well as in-person to assist officer to better cope with all forms of traumas and other challenges faced on a daily basis.”
