...IGP Meets Strategic Police Managers, Lauds Steady Decline on Crime
The acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun has said through meticulously planned and well-coordinated operations driven by actionable intelligence, the Nigeria Police Force has effectively disrupted multiple infamous criminal syndicates involved in organized crimes, leading to arrest of 288 armed robbery suspects, 187 kidnap suspects, 198 homicide suspects, 59 suspects for possession of prohibited firearms, 168 suspects were involved in cases of rape, defilement and other sexual offences, 265 suspected cultists, and 1891 suspects for various crimes.
IGP Egbetokun revealed this today, 14th September, 2023 at the meeting with Strategic Police Managers and media briefing to highlight policies, breakthroughs, achievements of the Nigeria Police Force in the last five weeks held at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The meeting is to outline some of Nigeria Police Force notable achievements and breakthroughs in the last five (5) weeks, and discuss topical issues bordering on security and safety of the communities.
He said "the meeting is significant as we enter this year’s ‘ember’ months, and it will spur us to review the internal security situation of the country with a view to revamping our strategies towards bolstering the nation’s security governance, economic growth and national development, especially as we traverse the unique last quarter of the year."
The IGP Egbetokun also disclosed that a total of 127 firearms of different calibres, 612 assorted ammunition, and 89 stolen vehicles were recovered nationwide while 71 kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt and subsequently reunited with their families and loved ones within the same period of five (5) weeks.
Highlighting some of the achievements, the acting IGP said, the FCT Police Command in the past five (5) weeks have recorded the arrest of 948 suspect for various violent crimes, and the recovery of various sophisticated arms and ammunition of different calibres, as well as stolen vehicles. 903 of the arrested suspects were charged to court where 876 were convicted.
The IGP added that the Lagos State Police Command, proactive intelligence-based operations have significantly contributed to maintaining law and order in the state. This has led to the arrest of 66 suspects engaged in varying crimes including armed robbery, unlawful possession of arms, impersonation, cultism, murder etc., and the recovery of 14 firearms including two AK47 rifles, one of them locally fabricated; 2 locally fabricated toy guns; 15 live cartridges; 4 expended cartridges; 25 live ammunition; 34 bags of weed suspected to be Indian hemp; 6 vehicles; 2 bags containing fake US Dollars, fake Pound Sterling note; and 66 kegs of fake Total engine oil.
The tragic killing of a Divisional Police Officer, SP Bako Angbashim, in Rivers State is another event which serve as a stark reminder of the multi-dimensional challenges we face in maintaining security and order across our nation. We have mobilized efforts to ensure the perpetrators of the mindless killing of SP Bako Angbashim are brought to swift justice while we sound a note of serious warning to those who have penchant for killing our officers to desist.
He added that in Zamfara Police Command in light of recent distressing events, we must not forget the abductions of eight (8) National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Zamfara. The safety and well-being of all our citizens, particularly our young NYSC members, remain of utmost importance to us. We are firm in our commitment to intensify our efforts at ensuring the safe rescue of these abducted Corp Members and all others still in captivity of criminal gangs in any part of the country.
Currently, we are actively engaged in the sharing and analysing intelligence gathered thus far, while also exploring collaborative efforts with security agencies to secure the unconditional release of these individuals as swiftly as possible without harm. It is imperative to note that rescue operations generally demand a careful, tactical and deliberate approach, conducted with the utmost caution to avoid unintended harm to the victims.
In Kano, we recorded the evacuation of large quantities of fake and expired drugs on 22nd August, 2023, discovered in two different warehouses located at Mallam Kato Market. Those who engage in the illicit business of trading in expired and substandard drugs are as callous as those who kill innocent citizens in our country. We will from now on, intensify our collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in ensuring that these group of criminals are no longer given space to operate in our communities.
He said, "in line with our commitment to bolster the safety of educational institutions across the country, we will soon be commencing the deployment of technology in the operational activities of our School Protection Squad, we are delighted to have engaged technical partners who are already collaborating with us in this regard. Our focal officers as well as strategic managers have already undergone training in preparation for the implementation of this technology-driven approach.
"Similarly, we launched the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual for the Schools Protection Squad (SPS) on August 9, 2023, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. This significant step follows the recent establishment of the Schools Protection Squad, is a specialized unit dedicated to safeguarding schools and educational institutions nationwide
On Special Intervention Squad (SIS), the IGP said, in furtherance of our resolve to ensure that all forms of violent crimes in Nigeria are adequately prepared for, identified, and tackled, and in line with my earlier directive for the establishment of a 40,000-strong Special Intervention Squad, a team of 25 trainers and instructors from various police colleges and training schools have been carefully selected to embark on a specialised training abroad.
"The mission is to give them relevant training in the Special Intervention Squad program, an initiative aimed at equipping our personnel with advanced skills and techniques for handling complex security challenges across the country.
He said there was deliberate Technological Drive for Smart Policing, recognizing the importance of cutting-edge technology in modern law enforcement, we have made significant investments in upgrading our infrastructure and digital capabilities and these are yielding positive results.
"The Central Motor Registry (CMR) which was recently automated and rolled out have revolutionized police response to the challenge of stolen vehicles in the country. The platform affords Nigerians the opportunity to register their vehicles online which improves the chance of recovering such vehicles in the event that they get stolen.
"In the period under review, the CMR platform has witnessed a total registration of one thousand, two hundred and forty-four (1,244) vehicles, out of which two hundred and thirty-four (234) were found to have been reported stolen on the platform. The swift response of the CMR desk officers in conjunction with field operatives led to the recovery of forty-six (46) stolen vehicles so far.
"This number is included in the total number of eighty-nine (89) stolen vehicles recovered in the last five weeks. Efforts are still ongoing to recover more with the hope of recovering all. We hereby encourage members of the public to access the platform at cmris.npf.gov.ng and register their vehicles for optimum security and safety." he noted.
"On NPF Gender Policy, As a follow up to efforts aimed at promoting gender inclusivity and enhance professional development within the Nigeria Police Force, our administration has approved a reviewed Gender Policy for the Nigeria Police Force which was recently launched to cater for the gender sensitivity of our present clime.
On Special Intervention Squad (SIS) the IGP said in furtherance of our resolve to ensure that all forms of violent crimes in Nigeria are adequately prepared for, identified, and tackled, and in line with my earlier directive for the establishment of a 40,000-strong Special Intervention Squad, a team of 25 trainers and instructors from various police colleges and training schools have been carefully selected to embark on a specialised training abroad.
On administration, Infrastructure and personnel welfare, the IGP said this present police administration very well understands the importance of welfare to bolster efficiency of police officers.He said the board of the Nigeria Police Force Properties Development and Construction Company, where I sit as Chairman, recently appointed one of the best hands in property development in Nigeria, Mr. Hakeem Oguniran, as the Executive Consultant to drive a special housing agenda for the Police. I have no doubt that the Consultant will bring his expertise and experience to bare in making our dream of house for all Police Officers and Men in Nigeria a reality.
On training and development, the IGP announce that he has given full approval for the commencement of an extensive nationwide reorientation program for all Officers and Men to be anchored by the Department of Training and Development. This initiative aims at catalyzing a transformative journey, emphasizing essential facets such as cultivating emotional intelligence, ethics and professional conduct, refining effective communication skills, and instilling positive values across the ranks of our esteemed Force.
"The foundation of any effective Police Force lies in the character and conduct of its officers. As such, this comprehensive reorientation program represents a pivotal step towards not only enhancing the professional competence of our personnel but also nurturing a new ethos grounded in integrity, respect, and service to our communities. It is our firm belief that by focusing on these fundamental aspects, we can foster a more compassionate, efficient, and responsive Police Force that serves as a true beacon of hope and safety for all citizens across our great nation.
He also announce that the annual Police Strategic Managers Conference and Retreat for the year 2023 will come up between 29th October and 2nd November, 2023 in Owerri, Imo State.
He noted that this conference and retreat serve as a paramount platform for knowledge exchange, strategic planning, and the strengthening of our collective resolve to enhance policing in our nation. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on our achievements, discuss emerging challenges, and chart the course for even more effective policing. Your active participation and engagement are crucial, as we work together to continue improving the safety and security of our citizens. This year’s Conference promises to be more innovative than the previous years. Further details on the Conference and Retreat will be communicated in due course, and I look forward to seeing you all there.
In the past five weeks, our committed officers have demonstrated relentless determination in upholding law and order. The past five (5) weeks have been a period of good and bad for the Nigeria Police. Inspite of pockets of ugly incidences recorded in some parts of the country, Nigeria is presently witnessing a steady decline in the general crime rate when compared with the previous figures.
The combined efforts of our officers, the support from the government, the cooperation and assistance received from state governments, and members of the public have been integral to the achievements. I need to restate that the Nigeria Police Force, under my watch, will continue to adopt and embrace modern policing strategies, and an all inclusive paradigm shift to tackle the various dimensions of crimes and criminality in Nigeria.