By Kingsley John
Since his appointment on June 21, 2016, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, has no doubt proven capable of bringing the desired change to the Nigeria Police, in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Being a dedicated personality, the IGP has towed the line of the present change agenda by appointing officers with proven character and high moral standard, dedication and incorruptibility to take charge of various police formations and units across the country. That has no doubt help to pursue the desired objectives of the present administration, and re-position the Police to an enviable place.
IGP Idris has also extended hands of fellowship to other security agencies in the country, with a view to strengthening the internal security mandate of the Nigeria Police and bridge likely gaps in policing the country. By this, the police boss is seen to have brought to attention the significance of synergy between the Nigerian Police and other security agencies.
His recent visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, further emphasized the need for a stronger synergy between the Police and the military to curb the present security challenges plaguing the country. His visit to the Army headquarters also served as a forum for collaboration and dialogue between the agencies, with a view to addressing critical issues such as kidnapping, insurgency and terrorism in the country.
The police boss also visited Maiduguri in company of the Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu, to distribute relief materials to IDPs and also boost the morale of officers and men of the Force. With an impressive military campaign against Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, the visit by the IGP revealed the readiness of the Police to take over liberated areas in order to facilitate civil authority.
It is for his determination to quickly respond to internal security situation in the country with a view to adequately arresting the situation, that the IGP undertook a working visit to Lagos and Niger Delta creeks over frequent attacks on members of the public and bombing of oil installations by suspected militants.
The police boss was worried about high level of insecurity around those areas over the senseless and endless killings, as most residents are beginning to lose their trust in the Police.
Apart from security issues, the IGP has also reached us to other agencies to strengthen relationship of the Force with them, with a view to making his job easier and also serve the country in the best possible ways.
IGP Idris also established a Special Task Force to combat the rising spate of kidnappings and other crimes within Kogi and Kaduna states. The efforts of the Task Force led to the release of Major-General Alfred Nelson-Williams, the deputy Sierra Leone High Commissioner to Nigeria who was kidnapped around Abuja-Kaduna road. The IGP also ensure the establishment of a Crime and Incident Data Base Centre for the Police, where the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, commended the effort of the IGP as Nigeria was ready for smart policing. He said the Centre would go a long way in helping the Police address crime using technology.
“I think one of the most important things that this Crime Data Base Centre will do is to equip the Police, to be able to do the kind of investigation that is required to cope with crime today,” the Vice President added.
This act alone should show Nigerians the level of confidence our president has in him. The formation of Eminent Persons Forum across the 36 states and FCT, comprising traditional rulers, retired civil servants/retired security personnel, various professional bodies, like the NBA, NLC, TUC, and associations like Miyetti Allah Cattle Association, market women associations, NURTW, etc, is a positive step in combating crimes by engaging all. The essence of the forum is to assist the police in combating crime and act as an interface between the Force and the public. The forum is another community-based approach that is aimed at policing toward solving security problems within communities.
On affordable housing for members of the Force, IGP Idris has commenced discussions with private developers and various states governments across the country towards the construction of affordable mass housing estates for officers and men of the Force. He also commenced discussions with Cross River state government to enable the Force partner with the Calabar Garment Factory on sewing of uniforms for officers and men of the Force, in line with President Buhari's agenda of patronising made in Nigeria goods.
On Special Anti-Robbery Squad and Amnesty report, the police boss warned members of the elite squad to perform their duties according to international best practices. He vowed to correct the erroneous impression about the unit and warned that the management of the Nigerian Police would no longer tolerate any action that will embarrass the Force.
Besides, this writer is of the opinion that anyone who has lived in this country in the last 40 years knows that the Nigerian Police under this leadership has been pursuing deliberate efforts to shed off the negative image it was associated with in the past.
Indeed, many discerning Nigerians are beginning to believe that the Ibrahim Idris-led Nigerian Police has helped in bringing a human face to the Force. Agreed we have not gotten there yet, however the signals are encouraging. Following the emergence of a new crop of leadership in the Police, IGP Idris has exhibited its readiness to change the face of the Force through mutual cooperation and deployment of constructive suggestions for enhanced and effective policing in line with international best practices.
With the emergence of Idris as the police boss and his relentless determination to leave positive footprints in the history of police, Nigerians from all walks of life should positively contribute to effective policing by cooperating with the Force for the safety and security of all.
Kingsley John, a public affairs analyst, wrote this piece from Abuja.
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