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The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ag IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun has directed all Commissioners of Police, CPs and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police AIGs of border States with neighboring countries especially, Niger Republic to work collaboratively with sister agencies at the border to ensure no internal security issues with Niger Republic Coup.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Ag. GP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun said this today, 8th August, 2023 at the August meeting of Strategic Police Managers which is a monthly forum for Police strategic communication, that coincides with the 50th day of his appointment as the Acting Inspector General of Police.
He said the Nigeria Police Force will continue to monitor the situations at those places, to ensure deployment of adequate personnel for the maintainance of internal security in those areas.
Giving highlight of achivement so far, Acting IGP Egbetokun said security operatives across the country within the period under review have arrested a total number of 986 armed robbery suspects, 377 kidnap suspects including bandits, 848 suspects of homicide, 297 suspects for possession of prohibited firearms, 517 suspects of rape, defilement and other sexual offences, 874 suspected cultists, and 5,281 suspects for various other offences.
IGP Egbetokun also note that a total of 520 firearms of various calibres including AK47 and other assault rifles, 4,043 assorted ammunition, and 264 stolen vehicles were recovered nationwide while a total of 363 kidnap victims were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families and loved ones.
He disclosed that the force crime-fighting initiatives are paying off, through series of covert and overt operations targeted at smashing criminal gangs terrorizing our communities all over the country, we have successfully dismantled several notorious criminal syndicates involved in organized crimes such as armed banditry, insurgency, armed robbery, kidnapping, gun running, cattle rustling.
"As part of our crime management tactics to address the trending crimes in the country, the Nigeria Police Force under my watch has commenced the process of invigorating the Police Mobile Force (PMF) which remains our statutory striking arm. We have started the process of mobilizing 40,000 strong and willing Police personnel who are expected to be drawn from the existing Police Mobile Force Squadrons, State/Zonal Police Commands and other tactical Units of the Force. It is imperative for the Heads of these Commands and Formations to give maximum cooperation to the Mobilization Team.
"In the period under review, I flagged off the distribution of cheques to cover Insurance benefits to next-of-kins of officers who paid the supreme price and those who have suffered permanent deformities in the course of discharging their lawful duties.
"To foster a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with retired officers, I recently held a meeting with the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON) to understand their needs and concerns. As a result, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Department of Finance and Administration has been designated as the dedicated focal person for the Association.
"This decision ensures that all issues and inquiries raised by police retirees will receive prompt attention and appropriate solutions, affirming our commitment to supporting those who have served our communities diligently throughout their careers. Furthermore, we have instituted a committee led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Research and Planning to take up the concerns on the Police Pension Bill and advise on necessary steps towards its ascent by Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief.
"Recognizing the importance of cutting-edge technology in modern law enforcement, we recently relaunched the PoliceVGS Quick Emergency Reporting and Response System (QERRS), a smart policing initiative aimed at revolutionizing police response to emergencies and ensuring swift and efficient action in critical situations.
"The Police-VGS QERRS, an additional option to the already launched C4i-NPF Rescue Me App, is an application that has been modeled to ensure prompt response and referral in the event of emergencies such as accidents, natural disasters, medical emergencies, criminal incident reporting, and intelligence sharing amongst others. In addition, the Digitalized Central Motor Registry which is already operational, has received a boost from all areas of our society. The DCMR application has been a blessing to our collective security in many areas and it will be continually updated to match up with present realities in Nigeria.
"In a bid to enhance community-oriented law enforcement and reinforce public participation and trust in the Nigeria Police Force, we are working assiduously to unveil a series of practical initiatives on community policing and a comprehensive reorganization plan in line with my action plans and vision statement.
"This renewed community policing plan is geared towards building strong partnerships with local communities, and a proactive and collaborative approach to policing that addresses the specific needs and concerns of citizens so as to create a safer and more secure environment for all residents while promoting transparency and accountability within the police force. The Standard Operating Procedure for one of our frontline initiatives in this regard, the School Protection Squad (SPS) is scheduled for launch tomorrow Wednesday 9th August, 2023, at the Abuja Continental Hotel. I look forward to seeing you all at the event.
"To further entrench discipline in our system, I have ordered a significant restructuring and strengthening of the IGP Monitoring Unit and the X-Squad within the Police Force to ensure greater efficiency, sanity, and accountability. In the same vein, all Commissioners of Police in charge of States are to give effect to my directive on the immediate establishment of Complaints Response Units in all State Commands in line with the provisions of Section 131 (1) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, to complement the efforts of the restructured IGP Monitoring Unit and X-Squad for better service delivery.
He urged Police Managers to drive together with him on these strategies of building more robust rapport with the members of the public, embarking on professional and ethical mentoring of the personnel under their watch, and deliberately looking out for feedbacks on their efforts.
Ag IGP Egbetokun also commended all Commands of the Force for the most professional manner in which they managed the recent protest by the citizens and the organized Labour such that no single casualty was recorded while the protest lasted. "I commend Nigerian citizens and the Labour leaders for also conducting themselves in the most peaceful manner.
"Indeed, the overall conduct of Police officers in the management of the protest should henceforth, be adopted as a template for operational control of protests across the country. In this vein, Commands Commissioners of Police are hereby directed to establish direct liaison and work with Labour Unions and Civil Society Organizations to ensure that Labour related protests, rallies, and similar public activities are peaceful and without incidents." He said.
He assured them that the welfare of personnel is always on the front burner of his heart and this should be properly communicated to Officers and men regularly. Promotions will be regular and strictly done based on merit and available vacancies, while disciplinary actions will not be viewed lightly against erring personnel.
The IGP also reacted to the recent looting of food warehouses and shops in parts of Adamawa State and to ensure that such attacks do not reoccur in other parts of the country, Command CP’s are directed to henceforth emplace round the clock provision of security at all government warehouses as well as strategic storage facilities and never allow the repeat of the Adamawa incidents.
It must be noted that the Force is poised to provide all necessary support to the Federal Government as it seeks workable solutions and succor to the present economic situation in the country.