…Charges officers to replicate Ekiti success in 2023 election
By Hassan Zaggi
Following the security threat in all parts of the country, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has charged Commissioners of Police (CPs) in all states of the federation to immediately commence what he christened special visibility policing operation across all commands.
He equally charged men and officers of the Force to replicate the successes recorded in terms of election security management during the Ekiti state gubernatorial elections.
IGP Alkali gave the directive at a meeting with top police officers including Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs) and Commissioners of the Police (CPs), in Abuja, Wednesday.
According to the IGP: “As part of major operational initiative to stabilize the internal security order, you are all directed to immediately commence a special visibility policing operation across your Commands.
“This initiative will encompass the crime mapping of your Areas of Jurisdiction, identification of vulnerable points and massive deployment of personnel on motorized and foot patrols of the cities. The initiative also involves the utilization of intelligence to undertake targeted raids on criminal cells.”
On the 2023 general election, the IGP applauded the officers who participated in the Ekiti gubernatorial election for displaying exceptional level of professionalism during the election which, according to him, engendered a largely peaceful electoral process and credible outcome of the elections.
“As we prepare for the 2023 General Elections, I charge you to draw on this success towards enhancing our election security management operations during the exercise,” the IGP said.
IGP Alkali, however, warned deviant police officers who abuse the rights of the public to be ready for commensurate resistance and punitive measures.
“I must, therefore, sound out this warning loud and clear that under my watch, any police officer that betrays his or her Service oath and tramples on the rights of citizens he or she has sworn to serve and protect, will be identified, isolated and dealt with promptly, firmly, transparently, and in a manner that will leave neither the citizens nor the police personnel in doubt about my determination to separate the bad officers from the professional ones in the interest of the Force.
“It is in furtherance to this that approval was given some days ago for the dismissal and de-kitting of ex-Inspector Richard Gelle who was caught in a viral video dignifying and justifying extortion of members of the public. Some other of such viral videos including that of a police operative that was physically and violently assaulting a citizen with cutlass in Cross River State are being reviewed and I can assure that similar prompt disciplinary action will be initiated against the erring officers and the outcome made public in due course. “
He further charged the top police officers to continue to provide strategic leadership that will remain sensitive to issues of rights violations, and excessive and unjustifiable use of authority by police personnel in your Commands while being conscious of the fact that such, if unchecked, will deepen the trust gap between the citizens and the Police and make the attainment of our mandate difficult. “
While soliciting for support from the general public in the area of the provision of intelligence, the IGP said: “I, therefore, solicit the understanding and continued support of all Nigerians, particularly, in volunteering critical pieces of criminal information which are vital to our mission of securing the public space in the most pro-active manner.”
