By Emmanuel Onwusoro
Officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force have been cautioned against corrupt tendencies in the performance of their duties.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of zone 17, Lokoja, Kogi State, Adebowale Williams, gave the warning in Ado-Ekiti, during his visit to the Ekiti State Police Command.
The AIG enjoined the officers to eschew extortion, and all acts of indiscipline. He stressed that they should not give the public the impression that the police station is not where to go when they have problems, that the police are only interested in their money. And with this scenario they will run to other people for assistance. “Instead of defending the right of the people you are expected to serve, you chase them away”.
He assured the officers that the leadership of the police is committed to supporting them in any way. Hence,the need to be professional,dedicated and effective in the discharge of their duties. The AIG remarked,”at your level, you are guided by procedure. Ensure you follow the procedure. Ensure you do the right thing always”. However, officers and men of the Ekiti police command received kudos from the police top-brass for the low rate of crimes in the state.
According to him, the Inspector-General of Police, is determined to improve on the welfare, training and working tools of the force to make their duties easier, more effective and safer. Adding that the number one policeman in the country knows what the officers and the rank and file need a lot of things to function.
On community policing, the AIG pointed out that without community policing, he would not be where he is today. He appreciated the vigilantes,the hunters, members of the Police Community Relations Committee,PCRC, and allied outfits, underscoring that such synergy from everybody is vital because the police cannot do it alone. Reiterating, the zone 17 helmsman maintained that upholding the fundamental rights of the citizens is essential in fostering harmonious and secure society.
“I urge you to embrace the principles of community policing. Engaging with the communities you serve, deal collaboratively with them to address their concerns and ensure their safety. Build strong partnership with them which is indispensable in maintaining peace and order. It is the best way to ensure policing .As a matter fact, the key strategy is community policing where you provide intelligence coming from the top to down,thereby ensuring that you respond promptly to address security challenges facing the people in whichever area you serve”.
AIG Williams further posited that the responsibility of the police requires not only courage and resilience, but also a high standard of professionalism, integrity and discipline. “I commend each and everyone of you for commitment and dedication to service. I urge you to remain resolute in the face of challenges that confront you on a daily basis”.
“I dont know if you have been on patrol, as I was coming, I saw so many policemen on the road. They face a lot of challenges everyday and I feel we should commend them. Your commitment to the principles of fairness and justice is fundamental to maintenance of law and the confidence of the people you serve”.
He believed that at their various levels,whether a constable, a commissioner of police, or AIG, they should challenge themselves in the discharge of their duties to maintain law and order,prevention of crimes and when crimes occur, ensure perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti Command, Ogundare Dare,said the command has twenty-seven divisions, three thousand and four hundred personnel,comprising the mobile police force and other units in the configuration of the force at the centre.
He remarked that crimes rate had been reduced to the barest minimum in the state because of the commitment and dedication of his officers and men. “While others are sleeping,we will be on oars fighting crimes”.
The CP attributed much of the feats achieved by his command to the tactical prowess of his men.
Mr Dare passionately appealed to the AIG to assist in seeing that the police high command halts the incessant transfer of his officers and men to other zones and commands. This, he bemoaned, has continued to deplete the numerical strength of the command’s personnel.