Police Chief Meets Strategic Managers, Harps On Presidential Directive On Inter-Agency Collaboration

In a bid to align the Strategic Police Managers with the policy thrust of President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba convened a meeting with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The gathering, held on June 5th, 2023, emphasized the President’s directive on effective inter-agency collaboration and the need for a synergized internal security architecture to address pressing security concerns in the nation.

During the conference, the IGP urged the Strategic Police Managers to build upon the significant accomplishments achieved between January and May 2023, particularly highlighting the successful democratic transition on May 29th.

He called for the development of proactive mechanisms to effectively control existing and potential threats across the country, including the aftermath of the fuel subsidy removal and the emerging threat of industrial strike action. 

“It was essential to prevent any untoward acts from political and non-political actors, ensuring the maintenance of peace and stability in the democratic process,” he said.

The IGP emphasized the need for professional management of peaceful protests, underscoring the importance of upholding democratic values as the country prepared for the upcoming Democracy Day celebrations on June 12.

Furthermore, the IGP provided an overview of the criminal landscape during the review period, revealing that a total of 1,630 criminal cases had been recorded. 

These cases encompassed major offenses such as terrorism, secessionism, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, and the proliferation of firearms. The police operations resulted in the arrest of 3,619 suspects, recovery of 486 firearms, and retrieval of 4,072 ammunition of various calibers. 

Notably, 316 kidnapped victims were safely rescued.

Acknowledging the commitment and dedication of deserving officers, the IGP assured them that promotions would be based on merit and vacancies, as customary.

He highlighted that 31,465 Rank and File personnel had already been promoted, while thousands of inspectors were undergoing Departmental Selection Boards for promotion to the rank of Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs).

Also, the IGP said “Some police officers criminalizing civil matters, will face severe disciplinary actions and sanctions would be taken against such professional infractions.”

He urged supervising officers to caution their subordinates against unprofessionalism and extortion, while establishing and maintaining Human Rights Desks at all Police Commands to address violations of fundamental rights.

The IGP reassured law-abiding citizens of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining a peaceful and serene civil space.

He emphasized the force’s continuous efforts to secure the nation and sustain the downward trend in crime, leveraging the support of the Federal Government.

As internal security dynamics were re-evaluated, strategies would be adapted to ensure the country’s safety and security.

With a focus on the President’s directive, the meeting of the IGP with the Strategic Police Managers demonstrated the determination of the Nigeria Police Force to collaborate effectively with other agencies and tackle the prevailing security challenges.

The unity of purpose and concerted efforts towards crime control and maintenance of peace reflected the commitment of the police force to secure the nation’s future.