[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Egbetokun Olukayode Adeolu, on Wednesday, said that corruption and misconducts that tarnishes the image of the Nigerian Police will not be tolerated under his watch, as there will be proactive steps to instill discipline across the ranks.
This is even as he said, he will review aspects of community policing, to emplace intelligence led policing, so as to improve policing in the country.
“I acknowledge our citizens’ deep-rooted concerns and grievances against the police. It is no secret that the Nigerian Police Force has faced its fair share of criticism in the past. Instances of misconduct, corruption, and abuse of power have eroded public trust. I am before you today to declare that such behaviour will not be tolerated under my watch and there will be proactive steps to instill discipline across the ranks,” he said.
integrity, and respect within the Police Force.
According to him, “We will prioritize new ways of recruiting, training, and equipping our officers to ensure they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their duties efficiently, and with excellence and this we will do to the admiration of the people that we serve”.
Speaking on the reforms he intend to introduce to improve policing in Nigeria, the new IGP said: “As the Inspector General of Police, I firmly believe that our path to a brighter future lies in collaboration, transparency, and the reformation of our law enforcement delivery system”.
He noted that to regain the trust of the Nigerian people, his administration will establish a robust internal system to investigate allegations of misconduct within the Police Force.
He said: “We will hold accountable those who betray the public’s trust amongst us, ensuring that they face the full force of the law. Additionally, we will actively promote a working culture that will encourage officers and citizens alike to report instances of corruption or abuse they may witness. Our Police Force will be a beacon of integrity. We will hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. Henceforth, every police officer will be selected not only for their skills but also for their compassion, empathy, and commitment to public service”.
While, handing over the mantle of leadership on the new IGP, the out gone IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, said that part of his vision for the NPF on assumption of office, was to evolve a police force in which, abuses associated with the promotion regime, will be addressed and the process made credible enough to truly motivate personnel, while the age-long challenge of rank stagnation will be tackled.
establishment of the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He noted that the pathways for the policing of our dreams have been clearly defined, firm foundation built, and giant strides taken for the new Force
leadership to leverage on in his quest for a better Police Force.
According to him, “As I exit the leadership of the Force today, I believe that I am leaving it better than I met it. I believe that I have added value to policing in Nigeria. I hold the firm conviction that steady progress has been made in all the components of my promise to change policing narratives and in our journey to restore the dwindling police primacy within the internal security architecture of the country. We might not be there yet, but certainly the pathways have been clearly defined, firm foundation built, and giant strides taken for the new Force
leadership to leverage on in his quest for a better Police Force. For coming this far with me in my leadership journey, I wish to put on record my sincere appreciation to the entire Nigeria Police Family for demonstrating a sense of loyalty, sacrifice, and duty orientation which have combined to aid me in attaining most of the set leadership visions and targets”.
Earlier, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said, Ag. IGP Egbetokun Olukayode Adeolu, hails from Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He holds a Doctorate degree in Peace and Security Studies, a Post Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics, a Masters in Business Administration, a Certification in Electronic Data Processing/Computer Programming, a Masters in Engineering Analysis, and a Bachelors in Mathematics.
The new IGP he added has held several strategic positions in the past cutting across all the departments of the Force. These include: Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos State Command, Area Commander Osogbo, Osun State, and Gusuau, Zamfara State, Commandant Police Training School Ikeja, Commissioner of Police Explosive Ordnance Department, Commissioner of Police Kwara State Command, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone Abuja amongst others.
Until his appointment as the Ag. IGP, he was the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department.