…. Charges Officers to Desist from Partisan Politics
Governor Bello with the IGP, Usman Alkali Baba during the Courtesy Visit
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Worried over the activities of kidnappers and terrorists across the country, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to synergy and collaborate with the 36 state governors in tackling insecurity.
The IGP who was on familiarisation visit to the Police Command in Kogi State, gave the assurance on Monday when he called on Governor Yahaya Bello at the Lugard House, Lokoja.
The IGP whose visit to Kogi is also to inaugurate some completed projects executed by the Nigeria Police Force at Kabba, promised to utilise his close relationship with Governor Yahaya Bello since assumption of office to rid the state of crimes and criminalities.
He declared that security of lives and property is everybody’s business and commended Governor Bello’s proactiveness as well as collaborative efforts with security agencies to combat crimes in Kogi state.
“As far as am concerned, security is all about making lives better in our immediate society in terms of guaranteeing the lives and property of citizens
“As citizens we have a collective responsibility in the business of protection of Lives and property. We as government’s security agencies will continue to do our best while the citizens on their part have to complement the efforts
“Governor Yahaya Bello has always remained outstanding as he had severally visited the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force to seek the way forward in tackling insecurity in Kogi state”
Responding, Governor Yahaya Bello lauded the IGP for his good job since he took over, stressing that his gallant professional ingenuity had helped tremendously in safeguarding the nation.
He assured the IGP that his administration will continue to give security of lives and property in the state topmost priority.
The governor said that he has been able to transform Kogi state as second most peaceful state in Nigeria.
“In a bid to checkmate insecurity in Kogi, my administration has been able to provide 200 Patrol Vans and 500 motorcycles as well as communication gadgets to assist Kogi Police Command in its duties.
“My administration has also established joint taskforce tagged ‘Operation Freedom’ including Professional Hunters and Vigilantes to complement the efforts of the security agencies in combating crimes
“Farmers/Herders conflicts under my administration has been reduced to the barest minimum
“My administration has also declared war against political thuggery, violence, harassment and other forms of vices in the state” Bello disclosed.
Alkali Baba also charged officers and men of the Police force to desist from political participation, before, during and after the forthcoming general elections in the country.
The IGP handed down the warning on Monday while addressing officers and men of the police command in Kogi state command headquarters, Lokoja.
He said;” Let me sound a note of warning to you all to be apolitical before, during and after the forthcoming election, you must not allow yourselves to be used because they will dump your after the elections”.
According to him, “you have a duty and responsibility to uphold the Constitution, to protect the lives and property of the citizens, you cannot afford to fail in carrying out these tasks”.
The IG promised to look into various challenges that be facing them especially the rank and file with a view to provide enabling environment that would bring out the best performance on them.
“We will look into the challenges being faced by the rank and file knowing fully well the a good working environment will bring out the best in productivity. We will provide working tools such as vehicles and communication gadgets that would make their as crime fighters an easy task.”
The IG however requested for cooperation as well as synergy with other sister agencies and loyalty to the constituted authorities in return .
” Give us your loyalty, we will provide, we will provide the leadership
He called on senior officers to engage Community police officers as well as other sister security outfits to assist them in carrying out their duties.
“You need their cooperation and that of other sister security outfits, consider yourself as their partners, you need to be in synergy with them, you need them just as the need you to be successful in your assignments.
“If there are no security, we will be like animal’s farms where the strongest only survive police must see themselves as veritable instruments of changes in the security architecture of the society. As society grows, so are challenges added to the problem of robbery, are kidnapping, banditry, we must rise up to the occasion as they rear their ugly heads” the IG noted.
