THE NEW POLICE BOSS AND TASKS AHEAD
The
last time I checked, the workaholic Solomon Arase was no longer the Inspector
General of the Nigerian Police (IGP). His timely and celebrated exit was
informed by his retirement in service which was due on Tuesday 21st
June 2016. Following the retirement, President Muhammadu Buhari who
constitutionally doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria Police Council
graciously appointed Mr Ibrahim Kpotum Idris on the said date to henceforth
fill the vacant position in an acting capacity. The acting IGP is expected to
act in that capacity pending his confirmation by the apt quarters.
Until his appointment, the new Police boss
who hails from Kutigi Lavun, Niger State was the Assistant Inspector General of
Police (AIGP) in charge of Operations at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. He was
born on January 15, 1959, and was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in
1984 after graduating from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,
Kaduna State with a Bachelor degree in Agriculture. He equally holds a degree
in Law from the University of Maiduguri, Bornu State.
Mr Ibrahim Idris has served in numerous
commands and formations. He worked in the Police Mobile Force for seventeen
years as Unit Commander, Squadron Commander, as well as Commandant
respectively. Furthermore, he respectively served as the Commissioner of Police
(CP) in Nasarawa and Kano states, and thereafter served as the CP in charge of
Police Mobile Force at the Force Headquarters prior to his recent promotion as
AIGP; a position he held till his current appointment.
It’s worth noting that, the acting IGP was
at the United Nations’ Mission in Liberia as well as East Timor, and was
awarded ‘Medal of Merit’ by the President of the latter in recognition of his
assiduous and selfless service to humanity, in addition to the countless awards
he has bagged since he was enrolled in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). To say
the least, he’s a man of repute and many colours; suffice it to say that the
shoes he just put on are well deserved.
However, the highly respected new police
boss must acknowledge that a lot of inevitable tasks awaits him, thus there’s
significantly no room for recess while his reign lasts. Obviously, it’s only a
baby in the womb that’s yet to realize that Nigeria is currently ravaged by
series of security challenges that require only a severe and drastic measure
towards their holistic eradication.
To
this end, he shouldn’t be reminded that the herdsmen conundrum is still
ongoing, thus must take a bold step toward ending the menace across the
federation. He must also note that kidnapping and armed robbery are now on the
rampage in every facet of the country. In view of this, he’s required to make
Community Policing more viable to enable the police personnel fish out the bad
eggs in any existing community.
It’s
as well preposterous to remind the new police boss that extrajudicial treatment
otherwise known as jungle justice is presently the order of the day in the
Nigerian society in its entirety. Hence, he can’t fold his hands and watch
people seek for justice unlawfully owing to ignorance, wickedness, or what have
you. He must let every Nigerian comprehend fully that no individual is greater
than the law irrespective of his/her status. Similarly, a special mechanism
ought to be set up to invariably try any trigger-happy police officer.
In the same spirit, he must realize that
Nigerians, both home and abroad, are longing to hear that justice had been
served to those behind the recent brutal decapitation of the aged Igbo woman in
Kano State. Having arrested the prime suspects as we were told, they must be
thoroughly prosecuted till verdict is served. It’s no doubt the duty of the
police to ensure that justice is done in the long run. Nigerians are equally
eagerly looking forward to knowing the fate of the abductor of the 13-year-old
Ese Oruru of Delta State origin as well as that of the alleged culprits
involved in other related offences.
On
the other hand, I enjoin him to take the welfare of the entire police personnel
more seriously to spur them to do more. The proposed motivator would serve as a
panacea to the apathy that usually bedevils the activities of the men of the
Police Force. We must note unabated that while the civilians in the country are
fast asleep, these police officers are very much awake for the sake of national
interest.
The new police boss, Mr Ibrahim Idris has
already stated in his speech made public on Wednesday June 22, 2016 that the
NPF under his watch would henceforth be guided by the international core values
of policing with integrity, ensuring that the rule of law prevails in our
actions and activities. He also disclosed that his men would operate within the
principles of Democratic Policing, which is an institution that’s responsive
and accountable to its citizens at all times.
He further vowed that any police commander
serving at any command level must treat complaints with levity, and any
complaint received from members of the public must be handled within a shortest
possible period of time to the satisfaction of the complainant. He as well made
it clear unequivocally that his leadership would further strengthen the
existing Police X-Squad Units across the country towards boosting the ongoing
fight against corruption by the present administration, as well as reorganize
the famous Special Anti-Robbery Squad to tackle the lingering robbery
activities in the country.
Though he might have spoken very well in
his inaugural speech, as much as I wish him good luck in his future endeavours,
he ought to acknowledge that what Nigerians require from him is nothing but
ensuring that he puts the auspicious and laudable speech into proactive action,
so that soonest we’ll massively celebrate his person. Think about it!
Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor
(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights
activist-
Chief Executive
Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career
Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
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