By Hassan Zaggi
President Muhammadu Buhari has reminded the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force of his high expectation on them to provide the requisite that will engender not only a stable security space ahead of the general elections, but also guarantee the credibility of the exercise.
Speaking while commissioning critical operational assets procured by the Nigeria Police Force, at the Force Headquarters, in Abuja, Monday, the President called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali and other law enforcement agencies to note that they are being closely monitored by people within and outside the country.
“Having been fully briefed by the IGP of his detailed Operation Order and Action Plan for the 2023 General Elections during the Council of State Meeting that was held on Friday, February 10, 2023, I have no doubt of the high level of preparedness of the Nigeria Police for the exercise.
“I trust also, that in line with your service oaths and statutory obligation to our beloved country, you will not disappoint us all as you put to effect your election security governance operational plans.
“On my part, I renew the assurances of my firm trust in your leadership and unwavering support for police.
“It is indeed, in demonstration of this that I recently approved the release of requisite funds to the Nigeria Police Force towards the continuation of the next phase in the annual recruitment exercise of ten thousand (10,000) Constables in line with extant Presidential approval,” President Muhammadu Buhari said.
The President who was visibly elated by the achievement recorded by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, since he was appointed, commended him for his efforts at transforming the Nigeria Police Force.
The President disclosed that with such remarkable achievements by the IGP, he has attained his repositioning plan for the Nigeria Police Force.
“Looking back at what I inherited as a Police Force, and where we are almost eight years into this administration, I can proudly say that I have significantly attained my re-positioning plan for the Nigeria Police Force and it is my expectation that subsequent national leadership in the country will sustain this initiative.
“On this note, I commend the Inspector-General of Police, and the Nigeria Police Force for this great achievement and I encourage you to sustain your zeal for service to the nation,” President Buhari noted.
He further said: “I note the remarks of the Inspector General of Police that the acquisition of the assets being commissioned today was in furtherance to the broad plans of adequately and appropriately equipping the Nigeria Police towards guaranteeing a stable internal security order and emplacing peaceful, secure, and credible 2023 General Elections.
“My pledge to bequeath to the nation a democratic culture in which the police will not only be apolitical and impartial, during the 2023 general elections, but in which the process will be peaceful and secure, and the outcome truly reflective of the freewill of the citizens.”
In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, said that the assets were procured as part of broad strategic plan of the Force towards stabilizing the security space before, during and after the 2023 General Elections.
The assets, he said, were also procured for the purpose of enhancing the capacity of the Nigeria Police to manage
civil disorder in line with acceptable national legal
framework and global law enforcement protocols.
The critical operational asset being commissioned, the IGP explained, include 88 Pick-Up Patrol Vans; 21 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs); 9 Prado Jeeps; 1 Coaster Bus; 10 Water Cannon Trucks; 2 Rapid Razor Security Wires Dispensing Trucks; 9,607 bullet proof Vests/Plates and 2,055 Ballistic Helmets.
Others, the IGP disclosed, include 140,571 Long/Short Range Tear Gas Cell; 1,248 Anti-Riot Helmets; 3,000 Hand Grenades; 30 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs); 1,502 Stun Guns and AK47 Rifles with Assorted calibers of live ammunition; 300 HP Desktop Computers; 250 HP Laptop Computers; 150 Gubabi Fire Proof Safe; 100 Dragon Fire Proof Safe; and 150 Individual Filling Cabinets.
“The acquisition of these items was to demonstrate
the determination of the Force leadership to advance Mr.
President’s commitment to a reformed, modernized, fully
equipped, highly-motivated and citizens focused Police
Force that is re-oriented to the virtues of professionalism,
respect for rule of law, due process, operational efficiency
and best international practices in our internal security
mandates,” IGP Baba said.
