…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has called upon Police Strategic Commanders from all regions of Nigeria to convene in Abuja.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss strategies to prevent political and non-political actors, as well as other elements, from exploiting the planned strike and protest organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
This move comes after President Bola Tinubu’s declaration in his inaugural speech that fuel subsidies have been abolished, leading to a nationwide increase in petrol prices.
In response, the NLC has demanded a reversal of the subsidy removal and threatened to hold a protest on the following Wednesday.
The IGP, addressing the assembled senior officers, outlined two main objectives of the meeting.
Firstly, they aim to evaluate the internal security situation in the country in relation to their policing responsibilities.
Secondly, the meeting serves to disseminate strategic and policy-driven directives that will guide their operations in line with the new Nigerian administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The IGP presented data and crime analysis from January to May 2023, indicating a relatively calm internal security situation with a decline in major crime incidents across all six geopolitical zones.
Crime Statistics and Operational Achievements
During the assessed period, excluding electoral offenses, the police recorded a total of 1,630 cases related to major crimes such as terrorism, secessionism, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, and proliferation of firearms.
Additionally, law enforcement operations led to the arrest of 3,619 suspects involved in various crimes nationwide.
The police successfully rescued 316 kidnapping victims and seized 486 assorted firearms, including AK-47 rifles and locally fabricated automatic weapons.
Furthermore, they recovered 4,072 rounds of ammunition and other incriminating items associated with major crimes.
Ongoing and Projected Threats
Despite the achievements and the successful democratic transition in May 2023, the IGP emphasized the existence of prevailing and projected threats across the country.
One of these threats stems from the aftermath of the fuel subsidy removal and the emerging possibility of industrial strike action.
The police must not become complacent but instead intensify their efforts to maintain peace and stability, especially in preparation for the upcoming Democracy Day on June 12.
Alignment with National Security Policy and Collaboration with Other Agencies
The IGP highlighted the need for the Nigeria Police Force to align with the security policy and initiatives of the new administration, emphasizing contemporary security measures and effective collaboration with other security agencies and the intelligence community.
President Tinubu has directed that there should be no discordance or cross-purpose activities that promote inter-agency rivalry in the fight against crime.
The IGP urged the officers to continue engaging with sister security agencies and stakeholders in their respective areas of responsibility to achieve a comprehensive approach to crime mitigation.
Combating the Criminalization of Civil Matters
The IGP expressed concern over police officers’ involvement in criminalizing civil matters, such as land cases, debt collection, matrimonial disputes, and cases already pending in court.
He reaffirmed the need to streamline investigations and cautioned against meddling in civil issues.
The Force Management Team, under his leadership, will implement stricter disciplinary actions and sanctions for such professional infractions.
The IGP warned the officers to ensure discipline within their ranks to avoid vicarious liability.
Compliance with Force Policies and Regulations
The leadership of the force will not tolerate the continuous violation of force policies and regulations, including the Social Media Policy and the oath of secrecy regarding the confidentiality of correspondences.
The officers were instructed to repeatedly educate their subordinates on these matters, with non-compliance resulting in consequences for the individuals involved.
The IGP stressed the importance of upholding discipline and adhering to lawful orders.
Valedictory Meeting and Force Reorganization
The meeting also served as a valedictory gathering for two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and other retiring officers.
Consequently, minor force reorganization will occur soon, based on merit and vacancies.
The IGP recently promoted a significant number of officers and assured further promotions to maintain morale within the force.
Commitment to Peace and Collaboration with the Federal Government
The IGP assured law-abiding citizens of Nigeria of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining a peaceful and secure civil environment.
He emphasized the continuation of strategies that have contributed to the reduction in crime nationwide and pledged to leverage the support of the federal government in evaluating internal security dynamics and adapting their strategies to sustain the current downward trend in crime.
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