By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, in the past eight (8) weeks, through execution of diverse strategies aimed at mitigating the escalating trend of criminal activities across the nation, has 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, according to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who disclosed this at the conference with strategic police managers held at the IGP’s Conference room, Force Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday 4th April, 2024, police 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.
IGP disclosed “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”.
The Police boss further disclosed that, the Police is 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 (₦7,263,391,051.73K} 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”.
Speaking on the police welfare, IGP said, “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”.
On Police Green Initiative, Egbetokun disclosed “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.
The Police boss urged his officers to remain steadfast in their commitment to the noble cause of policing the 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”, he said.
