LASU alumni backs I-G on police reforms

The Alumni Association of the Lagos State University (LASU) has backed the Inspector-General (I-G), Mr Olatunji Disu on his various reforms, targeted at enhancing the operational efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force.

The National President of the alumni association, Mr Norrison Quakers, SAN, made the position known on Thursday in Abuja when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the I-G.

He said the visit was to identify with the I-G as a member of the alumni association and the various reforms he had initiated in the force.

The alumni association president said Disu’s commitment to police welfare, inter agency collaboration, state police and other ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force were worthy of commendation.

Quakers said the I-G had excellent track records in the various leadership positions he had attained in the force, starting from the Intelligence Response Team to when he was appointed the Commissioner of Police for Rivers and the FCT.

He said Disu’s appointment as the I-G was a step in the right direction, considering his policy trust and the steps he had taken so far to ensure the realisation of his goals.

“Basically, the essence of the visit goes beyond just acknowledging the fact that he is one of us, a graduate of LASU and the level he has attained in terms of his career and profession.

“It is also to bring to bear, the policy thrust of his administration as the chief security officer of the nation, particularly at a time when security is an issue in this part of the world.

“If you look and listen to him when he came on board, one of the things that he highlighted was that, to fight insecurity you must also embark on intelligence,” he said.

He added that the commitment of Disu to the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force, as being obtained in other federal systems was an indication that the I-G had come to serve.

“A few minutes ago, I was reflecting on this, and I said, if I were in his shoes, will I give in to decentralising the force that I’m in charge of?

“Will it not result in losing control, influence, and power? So it takes a selfless person to come up with that kind of idea,” he added.

Quakers noted that the I-G had always championed the need to have state police in the country.

He said the recent video of the I-G and an elderly police woman who retired a while ago as Commissioner of Police had shown his kind of person.

The alumni association president commended the I-G for supporting the elderly retired woman police officer.

In his remark, the I-G commended the delegation for the visit adding that the dreams of the founding fathers of LASU had been fulfilled.

He said products of the institution had distinguished themselves in various disciplines, including sports, law, administration and many others.

Disu said members of the association had over the years assisted him in policing through provision of timely information on the conduct of police officers.

“They give me information I need everywhere to be able to act quickly.

“So when you see me react quickly or see successes of our operations, it has to do with my secondary school and my university mates,” he said.

The I-G said the task of policing was becoming more difficult, adding that the security situation in the northern part of the country was more difficult than the south.

He said security officers were going through difficult time policing the country, adding that the successes being recorded were because of their sacrifices.

“Every day we face difficult situations. The Police, military and other sister agencies are working, coordinating with one another to ensure that crime is brought down to the barest minimum.

“Officers are dying daily and that br us to the decision to talk to everybody whenever we meet them.,” he said.