The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has urged officers and men of the Nigerian Police to shun extortion and other forms of corruption to enhance their public image of the profession as well as in the fight for a crime-free society.
The IGP stated this while addressing men and officers of the Kano state command of the Nigeria Police at its headquarters in Bompai.
#PHOTONEWS | IGP PAYS WORKING VISIT TO KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND, KANO EMIR’S PALACE. pic.twitter.com/10kqWnFTol
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) August 11, 2023
He said the police should rather focus on professionalism to enable them safeguard the society.
“We must show commitment to professionalism. We must improve our relationship with members of the public. We must stop corruption and extortion in our system. It doesn’t pay us,” he advised
The police boss was also quick to add that merit will henceforth be the benchmark for promotion for men and officers of the Nigeria Police, stressing that there will be no special promotions any longer, except if one merits it.
He said the law enforcement agency is equally set to reshuffle the Central Investigation Department (CID) of the force at both the national and state commands as well as post-only officers who could inspire people to sensitive positions.
“The force CID is going to be reorganized such that only qualified and competent officers will function in the force CID. This will be replicated in the state commands.
“Henceforth only officers who can inspire public confidence will be given sensitive duty posts, such as Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders and DPOs. If you cannot inspire public confidence you will not merit such positions,” he said.
He urged the police to always demonstrate competence, capability and transparency to win public support.
“We want competence, we want honesty, we want integrity. That is the only way we can inspire public confidence. We want support of members of the public. We cannot be calling for support when we also are not showing transparency, we’re not showing competence and we are not showing capability.
“It is when we can do all these that we will mobilize for public support. I want you all to imbibe the spirit of cooperation and collaboration with members of the public.”
He called on the police to work alongside modern trends of policing which are: community-based, intelligence-led and technology-driven to keep society safe.
He commended the Kano state police Commissioner, urging him not to relent in his effort towards making Kano a crime-free society.
The Kano state Commissioner of Police Usaini Gumel urged men of the command to listen and adhere to the words of the IGP, as interacting with him is always an opportunity to learn.
Recounting his achievements in the last one hundred days of assumption of office in Kano, the CP said the ugly heads of all forms of violent crimes he met have been pushed to the wall.
“Also, in line with the implementation of the vision and directive of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, the police command is employing effective policing strategies robust for tackling all forms of insecurity.
“Including non-kinetic approaches in form of collaborative policing and inviting some identified individuals considered behind the escalation of thuggery activities, social vices and other violent crimes in the State,” he said.
The IGP will on Saturday participate in the passing out parade of cadets at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano state.
