The Dramatic Change at Louis Edet House

08 Apr The Dramatic Change at Louis Edet House

Developments after the change of leadership in the Police Force have continued at a fast pace. Yesterday, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, was decorated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Ex-IGP Mohammed Adamu handed over to him in the IGP’s conference room at Louis Edet House.

Present at the decoration ceremony that took at the Vice President Conference Hall were: the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, former IGP, Mohammed Adamu, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi,

Speaking on Wednesday during the decoration VP Osinbajo tasked Baba to restore dignity to the force and rebuild the broken bridges of trust with the public and implement community policing in order to curb the growing insecurity in the country.

“Let me once again, offer my congratulations to you new inspector general of Police on your appointment. Your selection by Mr. President follows a rigorous process where all eligible Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of police were considered. The president then appointed you as the most senior qualified and eligible officer,” Osinbajo said.

“IG, you are assuming office at a very turbulent time in the life of our people. There are multiple threats to law, order and public safety. The role of law enforcement and particular that of the police force as primary agency charged with maintaining law and order has never been more important. The police is our institution of first resort, the first line of defence against crime and anarchy and the first sign of the strength of the state.

“The challenges before you are indeed onerous and will test your mettle, the organisation you are leading is one that is itself facing several challenges. Your officers work still in extremely difficult conditions. And some face the threat of physical harm by terrorists, hostile non-state actors while in the line of duty but they have lived up to expectations.

“There is no question at all that there is a lot that needs to be done. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. Under your leadership, the police must now rebuild in some ways also the broken bridges of trust to the public and regain the confidence of the citizenry. This is an ongoing challenge is an ongoing task that the police force and all of the senior members of the police force must take on as a responsibility, that of the continual process of building trust to the Nigerian people.

“One of the ways you can do this is by implementing the community policing policy which had already taken off and reconceptualising policing as a task carried out in partnership with local communities and by officers who are members of these localities. Under your leadership, the force must live up to all of the highest standards of professional conduct and compliance with the rule of law. It must significantly improve the welfare and working conditions of its officers.”

The vice-president urged the new IGP to “stamp out the excesses and abuses and the culture of impunity” from the police force.

Baba’s Promise:

Speaking after the ceremony, the acting inspector-general of police (IGP), promised to work hard to improve the force.

Admitting that the efforts of the Force in securing the country, “is not enough,” he said Nigerians should expect an improvement in the security situation in the country.

“You will see improvement on where my predecessor has left. I came in at a very challenging time. I know it. I recognise it and I will work on how to improve from where my predecessor has left,” he said.

“I have been a member of the management team. We have tried to do our best, but it’s not enough. There is room for improvement.

“Nigerians should expect improvement on the security situation. And Nigerians should also collaborate and cooperate with us. With all the inadequacies we have, we still require everybody to be part of policing in this country.”

Baba said he will build a police force that will protect human rights, adding that he is mindful of the yearnings of Nigerians.

He acknowledged that his appointment comes at a time the country is experiencing security threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, secessionist agitation, and organised crimes.

“Much as the challenge of leading the force to address these threats in the shortest possible time frame, restore security order, and return our beloved nation to the path of national unity may appear daunting, I am inspired by the fact that from my extensive years of service, I can confidently say that the Nigeria police is endowed with some of the finest, courageous and patriotic officers who, undoubtedly, shall support me to advance the internal security vision of Mr. President,” he said.

“I am also encouraged by the fact that the outgoing IGP has laid a solid foundation and entrenched a culture of professional efficiency in the Force. These will stimulate me in my capacity as the new acting IGP, to strengthen our strategies and provide the requisite leadership that will change the narratives in relation to our operational approach to the current security threats.”

Baba said he will provide “the highest possible level of professional and responsive leadership” while on the job.