The Chairman of the ECOWAS Police Chiefs and Nigerian Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun has promised to build a police force that would be well-positioned to respond to the dynamics of the crime and criminalities in the country
According to him, he would build a police force where men and officers would be proud that they are members of the security outfit.
The Inspector General of Police gave the assurance while addressing officers and men of the Kwara State Police Command during his one-day official visit to the state.
“We want a police force that would be well respected by the people of Nigeria and to achieve this, it’s essential for everyone to align with and support our shared vision” he added.
Egbetokun also stated that he wanted to build a police force that would support the agenda of government in economic recovery and growth, social integration and political development of the country.
He explained that he was focusing on manpower and noted the shortage of personnel in the Kwara State Police Command and recalled that he knew the stress that they went through when he was the commissioner of police in the state and therefore promised to address the challenge and as well lamented that one policeman today does the job of two policemen.
Egbetokun assured that he has come with the hope that there is a future for the Nigerian police as his management team is making efforts to increase their strength.
The Police boss disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recently approved the recruitment of more officers yearly into the Nigerian police and stressed the necessity to double the strength of manpower in the force.
He emphasised the importance of regular training among his officers and men and proposed that every policeman should attend at least one training session yearly and declared that one cannot become a professional police officer without undergoing proper professional training.
He, however, assured all policemen that their welfare is a priority, in the aspect of their pensions and other benefits aimed at motivating them to perform their duties diligently and efficiently but however cautioned them not to be hasty in exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) .
The police boss commended officers and men of the Kwara police command where he had once served as Commissioner of Police for their dedication to peace and harmony of the state and pledged additional logistic support for the command.
In his welcome address, the State Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiye, commended the efforts of the IGP since he assumed duty in repositioning the police force.
He, however, said the number of Policemen and Women policing the State has dropped far below the accepted United Nations policing ratio of 1 Policeman to A00 citizens.
However, the IGP has assured of the recruitment of more hands, as the State is surrounded by both Local and International Borders, making policing challenging.
Mr Olaiye credited Egbetokun’s collaborative efforts during his tenure as the Commissioner of Police in the Kwara State Command.
According to him, the collaboration has firmly taken root and played a significant role in the successes achieved in the area of crime fighting in the State.
Olaiya said despite logistic challenges and inadequate power, the Command has been trying to maintain and sustain the harmony that has existed in the state but however, requested the Supply of an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) to enhance the operations of the police and further enhance the security of the Banks and as well improve fighting crime.
He told the visiting IGP that the command has enjoyed the support of all stakeholders in the State, from State actors to non-state actors, traditional institutions, trade unions, and student unions while the state government has always been their backbone.
Egbetokun had earlier visited the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari in his palace where he described his visit as homecoming.
He appreciated the Emir for giving him support while he was serving in Kwara State as the Commissioner of Police and solicited such support in his present position.
Mr Kayode Egbetokun who is the present 22nd indigenous Inspector General of Police in Nigeria served as Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria between 2019 and 2020.
Dominica Nwabufo
