Hottestgistnaija.com
Protocols
I welcome you all with great delight to our first conference with Strategic Police Managers, in the second quarter of 2024. As we commence the second quarter of this year, it is imperative for the Force leadership to review our operational activities in the first quarter, assess the impact on the nation’s internal security and finetune our courses of action and strategies towards achieving a better civil space going forward. The overriding objective is to pull the necessary levers that will aid our attainment of improved service delivery to the populace for the rest of the year and beyond.
To achieve the set objectives, the next phase of the conference will be a collaborative brainstorming session; focusing on delineating specific strategic and tactical measures that would be deployed across our diverse Commands and formations to bolster operational tactics and complement administrative initiatives.
Let me commence by emphasizing that policing in Nigeria is an endeavour fraught with complexities and obstacles, ranging from insurgent activities and armed banditry to varying other criminal syndicates and communal clashes. In the process, some of our gallant officers and men have paid the supreme price s whilst several others are still grappling with various degrees of injuries sustained in the unending battles with men of the underworld.
It is gratifying to note that in the face of these formidable challenges, the Nigeria Police Force has shown unwavering commitment and dedication to its mandate across the Federation. We pray that God Almighty will grant eternal repose to the souls of our departed colleagues and comfort their families and friends. In the same vein, we pray for the quick recovery of all the injured officers and men. My I seize this opportunity to reiterate that we are committed to giving them all the necessary support they require in their convalescence journey.
On this note, I commend each and every one of you, as well as the officers and men under your watch, for your dedication and steadfast commitment to upholding law and order, as well as protecting lives and properties of civilians. The abduction and killing of six of our personnel during a Special Operation at Evil Forest, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State, on 26th February, 2024 is a sore testament to the hazards confronting us every day as we strive to keep our country safe. The entire Police family is deeply pained by the heinous act of violence against our officers in the ordinary course of their duties. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers during this difficult time. I like to firmly reiterate that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the killers of these personnel, and many others, do not escape the long arms of the law.
In this respect, I am pleased to note that we have made significant progress in the investigation into the tragic incident. A total of nine (9) suspects have been apprehended and are currently assisting in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident. Undoubtedly, we are closing in on the key actors and other parties to the crime. Be assured that we will not rest on our oars until the murder of our colleagues are avenged with justice. In the meantime, we will continue to meet our obligations to their families in order to minimize their pains and sufferings during this period.
On the flip-side, we will continue to strive for excellence by being more proactive in our policing approach. Our responses to the current internal security threats require strategic deployments that are not only proactive but also technology and intelligence-driven. Through meticulous analysis of available information, we shall endeavour to pre-empt criminal activities, disrupt their illicit networks, and apprehend perpetrators swiftly. It is essential that we remain vigilant and adaptive in our approach, continuously refining our strategies to stay ahead of evolving threats.
I am pleased to report a substantial advancement, propelled by the execution of diverse strategies aimed at mitigating the escalating trend of criminal activities across the nation after our last conference held on 8th February, 2024. In the past eight (8) weeks, we recorded one hundred and forty-one (141) cases of terrorism/secessionist attacks, five hundred and thirty-seven (537) cases of murder, one hundred and twenty-six (126) cases of armed robbery, two hundred and fourteen (214) cases of kidnapping, and thirty-nine (39) cases of unlawful possession of firearms. Also, during the period under review, the Nigeria Police Force arrested three thousand, six hundred and eighty-five (3,685) suspects for their participation in various crimes, four hundred and one (401) kidnapped victims were rescued, two hundred and sixteen (216) various firearms, three thousand, six hundred and one (3,601) ammunition and eighty-two (82) vehicles were recovered. Below are some unique reports from the Police Commands/Formations across the nation. A list of achievements from the thirty-seven Commands and other formations and Units of the Force Headquarters have been compiled and will be made public by the Force Public Relations Officer.
USE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS TOOLS IN POLICING
Central to our success is the effective collaboration between Strategic Police Managers comprising of Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), Command Commissioners of Police (CPs), and their respective Zonal and Police Public Relations Officers. The dissemination of timely and accurate information regarding our achievements at the grassroots level is pivotal in fostering public trust and confidence in the Nigeria Police Force. It is incumbent upon us to maintain transparency and accountability in our communication efforts, ensuring that the public is well-informed about our endeavours to maintain law and order. All Strategic Managers are therefore charged to improve on this salient professional relationship in order to project all our achievements and to improve on the public’s confidence in the Police, and bridge trust gap between the police and the public.
Furthermore, I am pleased to announce that we are in the process of conducting a comprehensive review of the Police Regulation and introduction of a Scheme of Service for the Nigeria Police Force. These critical undertakings are aimed at modernizing our legal framework to align with contemporary policing standards backed by Police Act (2020), enhance the welfare and professional development of our officers and men, and foster a culture of excellence and accountability within the Force.
The Nigeria Police Force under this administration is poised to ensure that the welfare of personnel is prioritized. The Force has successfully, through unrelenting efforts, secured the release of insurance claims of deceased police officers which has accumulated for about eight years. We have in the last nine months cumulatively presented cheques totalling Seven Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Three Hundred and Ninety – One Thousand, Fifty-One Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo {N7,263,391,051.73K} to Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Fourteen {2,514} families of deceased police officers. Apart from actualizing a consistent bi-monthly release of insurance benefits to the families of our departed colleagues who had died in the course of their service to the nation, (including payment of some backlogs of insurance claims), the Force has recently concluded the registration process of the NPF Insurance Company Limited with the Corporate Affairs Commission and we are steadily progressing towards the operationalization of the Company. The new Company will aid the processing of our insurance funds directly from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Furthermore, we are unrelenting in finding a solution to the agitation of Police retirees arising from their poor pension earnings and the quest for enhanced pension culminating in protests and demand for exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme. This situation as we are well aware has in the past few years not only been a source of apprehension for serving officers, it has equally consistently put the Force uncomfortably in media space. The Force leadership is carefully working on a scheme that will put an end to the agitations and put smiles on the lips of every policeman, either serving or retired.
POLICE AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS
Permit me, at this juncture to announce with a sense of pride, the maiden Police Awards and Commendations Ceremony, where we will honour deserving officers amongst us, who as guardians of peace and safety, confronted challenges with bravery and determination, embodying the highest ideals of service. The ceremony to be held in honour of Police Officers (living or dead) who have distinguished themselves at their various duty posts has been rescheduled to hold on 15th April, 2024. The process of sorting through the numerous nominations received from Commands and Formations has been successfully concluded. It is our expectation that the ceremony will not just serve as an avenue for recognition of the meritorious and courageous efforts of our heroes but it is to serve as inspirations to others.
THE NPF HOUSING SUMMIT
In response to the housing challenge particularly faced by officers and men of the Force, we have put together the NPF Housing Summit schedule to take place between 22nd and 23rd April, 2024. Apart from bringing together all the critical participants in the housing value chain with capacity to support our shelter initiatives, the Housing Summit will also provide the avenue for launching the Police Fund. It is our hope that leveraging on this event, our personnel will have a much better deal on issues of housing during and post service.
THE NIGERIAN POLICE GREEN INITIATIVE
In line with Mr. President’s call for climate justice and international support from world leaders as developing nations transitions to zero carbon emission at COP28 in Dubai in December, 2023, the Nigeria Police Force, one of the largest public institutions in the country has concluded plans to launch the Nigerian Police Green Initiatives. This is to make significant contributions to assist the country meet her energy transition goals. NPGI is aimed at engaging Green Innovative solutions to boost operational and the capacity of the Nigeria Police to fight crime and maintain law and order in the country and comprises three key sectors, namely Renewable Energy Deployment, Alternative Energy Solution and Community Green Outreach.
In rounding up, I want to once again implore you to remain steadfast in your commitment to the noble cause of policing our nation. Let us continue to stand united in our resolve to uphold the principles of integrity, professionalism and excellence in all our endeavours. Together, we will overcome challenges, surmount obstacles, and deliver on our constitutional mandate to ensure the safety and security of our beloved country.
Thank you and God bless you all.
