Policing standards, practices must change – I-GP

The acting Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu, said that policing standards and practices have to change in Nigeria for the force to gain the trust of the citizens.

Adamu stated this at the decoration and inauguration of seven Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) on Monday in Abuja.

The officers decorated are: Aminchi Baraya, North East; Usman Abubakar, North West; Abdulmajid Ali, North Central; Taiwo Lakanu, South West; Godwin Nwobodo, South East; Anthony Ogbizi, South South; and Yakubu Jibrin from North Central appointed on seniority consideration.

He said to achieve that there was a need to re-strategise and take the police back to the community.

“We also have to evolve new thoughts and embrace new orientation as a police organisation to work with the citizens.”

The police boss said that henceforth, community policing strategy would drive policing functions at all levels under his leadership.

He said that a community policing implementing steering committee would be established to drive the process.

“It is clear that under my leadership, merit shall be the overriding standard that will guide promotion.

“You need to, therefore, re-dedicate yourself to service to the Nigeria Police and the nation. The task of policing a complex nation like ours is arduous,” he said.

In a remark, the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, said that much would be expected from the officers to reposition the force.

He was represented by the Controller-General of Nigerian Prisons Service, Alhaji Ja’afar Ahmed.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, said the task ahead of the officers were daunting.

He gave the assurance that the commission would continue to give a fair and fearless service to the country.

“The Nigeria police force should rely on the commission for effective service delivery,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the DIGs, Usman Abubakar promised that they would undertake any assignment given to them with efficiency and dedication.