The Commissioners of Police in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT have been instructed by the acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to begin immediately removing any non-security checkpoints within their jurisdictions and to arrest any offenders for quick prosecution.
The IGP stated, “We are aware of the challenge posed by the continued presence of unauthorised individuals on the various highways throughout the country under the pretence of revenue collection who constantly constitute nuisance on the highways by obstructing the flow of traffic, engaging in mischievous activities such as the seizure of vehicles, collection of fines, and other unlawful activities.
In order to fight corruption, the IGP recently instructed Commissioners of Police a three-week deadline to establish Complaints Response Units (CRU) in their command offices.
There is no need for citizens to be concerned, Egbetokun assured at a strategic meeting on Thursday with DIGs, AIGs, and Command CPs. The Police will ensure adequate security for the upcoming governorship elections in three states of the federation.
According to him, the police are not overworked because there is sufficient and appropriate staff on the ground for the election in the three States where gubernatorial elections are taking place.
We have more males available than in the general election, just as we have observed in prior isolated elections. I am not concerned about how safe and secure the election will be on November 11, 2023.
“Deploying is really convenient for us. Nobody should harbour concerns about the safety of the election in November. We’ve planned. We are prepared, and deployment will start very shortly.
“We purposefully selected one of the States where we are holding the election to host this year’s Police Conference and Retreat. There are little under two weeks till the conference and retreat.
“Therefore, the site and date were chosen on purpose and not by chance. Additionally, it serves to demonstrate to the public our electoral readiness. There is no reason to be afraid about the upcoming election.
However, he urged voters and politicians to follow election laws and abstain from all forms of violence.
The annual Police Strategic Managers Conference and Retreat will take place in Owerri, Imo State, from October 29 to November 2, 2023.
He declared, “This conference and retreat serve as a crucial forum for knowledge sharing, strategic planning, and the bolstering of our group’s desire to improve policing in our country.
The IGP said, “We have taken initiatives such as strengthening the IGP Monitoring Unit and the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) based at the Force Headquarters, and efforts are ongoing to establish CRU offices in all states. These steps are intended to increase accountability and transparency within the Force.
“As part of our commitment to combating corruption and enhancing professionalism in the Nigeria Police Force, directives have previously been made to all State Commissioners of Police directing them to establish CRU offices at their respective State Command Headquarters.
“Three (3) weeks from now, Command Commissioners of Police who have not complied are hereby given a deadline to do so.
Regarding infrastructure and welfare, Egbetokun stated, “The current police administration is extremely aware of the significance of welfare in order to increase the effectiveness of police officers. As a result, we have started reviewing the contract and policy agreements for remodelling and rebuilding the infrastructure of existing police barracks and office buildings around the nation.
In order to do this, the board of the Nigeria Police Force Properties Development and Construction Company has named Mr. Hakeem Oguniran, one of the top professionals in Nigerian real estate development, as the Executive Consultant to spearhead a specific housing agenda for the Police.
“I am confident that the consultant would use his skills and knowledge to help us realise our goal of providing houses for all Nigerian men and police officers.
“I am pleased to announce that I have given full approval for the beginning of an extensive nationwide reorientation programme for all members of the Nigeria Police Force, in line with the firm commitment of the current Police administration, under my leadership, to foster a culture of improved behavioural and attitudinal change within the Nigeria Police Force, our Officers and Men to be anchored by the Department of Training and Development.
“This effort intends to catalyse a transformative journey, emphasising crucial aspects like developing emotional intelligence, ethics, and professional conduct, improving effective communication skills, and embedding positive values throughout the ranks of our respected Force.
“The conduct and character of its personnel form the basis of any efficient police force. As a result, this extensive reorientation programme is a crucial step towards developing a new ethos based on honesty, respect, and service to our communities as well as improving the professional competency of our staff.
We are firmly convinced that by concentrating on these essential elements, we can develop a more sympathetic, effective, and responsive police force that acts as a true beacon of hope and safety for all citizens across our wonderful nation.
In response to these recent events, he said, “We must not forget the abductions of eight (8) National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Zamfara state. We continue to place a high priority on the safety and welfare of all of our citizens, especially the young NYSC participants.
“We are steadfast in our determination to step up our efforts to ensure the safe rescue of these kidnapped Corp members and any other prisoners still held by criminal organisations in any region of the nation.
“At this time, we are actively exchanging and reviewing the intelligence we have so far gathered, as well as looking into joint security agency efforts to obtain the unconditional release of these people as soon as possible without injury.
It is crucial to remember that rescue operations typically necessitate a cautious, tactical, and methodical approach. This strategy must be carried out with the utmost caution to prevent accidental harm to the victims.
Egbetokun commented on the beheaded DPO, saying, “The unfortunate death of a Divisional Police Officer, SP Bako Angbashim, in Rivers State is another tragedy that serve as a sobering reminder of the multifaceted problems we confront in upholding peace and order throughout our nation.
“We have stepped up our efforts to see that those responsible for the senseless murder of SP Bako Angbashim are swiftly brought to justice while issuing a grave warning to those who have a history of murdering our officers to stop.
“The murdered cop was renowned for his valiant actions against nasty criminal gangs terrorising the neighbourhoods where he worked. We reject his horrific murder and the following dismemberment of his body.
“Those who committed this horrific crime have slain slumber, and it is apparent that they will no longer sleep.
We will use every tool at our disposal to find them. We won’t ever again react to the murder of our officers in an ordinary way. The price of these killers’ cold-blooded actions will be high.
“On August 22, 2023, two different warehouses at Mallam Kato Market in Kano were found to be housing significant amounts of fraudulent and outdated medications. People that trade in illegally defunct and subpar pharmaceuticals are just as heartless as those who murder unarmed citizens in our nation.
“Starting now, we will work even more closely with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to make sure that these criminals are no longer allowed to operate in our neighbourhoods.
Similar proactive intelligence-based operations have made a substantial contribution to preserving law and order in the state at the Lagos State Police Command.
This resulted in the detention of 66 suspects who were involved in a variety of crimes, including armed robbery, unlawful possession of weapons, impersonation, cultism, and murder. In addition, 14 firearms, including two locally made AK-47 rifles, two locally made toy guns, 15 live rounds, four spent rounds, 25 live ammunition, 34 bags of marijuana thought to be Indian hemp, 6 vehicles, 2 bags containing fake US dollars and fake Pound Sterling note,
“In the previous five (5) weeks, the FCT Police Command has documented the arrest of 948 suspects for a variety of violent offences, the recovery of numerous high-tech weapons and ammunition in various calibres, as well as stolen cars. 903 of the suspects who were detained were charged to court where 876 were convicted.
This displays the commitment and efficacy of the Nigeria Police in responding to criminal activity and safeguarding the safety and security of the public across several states in Nigeria.
