Not satisfied with the efforts made so far against kidnappings, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim, yesterday warned Police officers posted to South East zone to brace up to the kidnappings in the area even as the out-going IGP, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo lamented that policing Nigeria is frustrating.
Ringim who spoke at a formal take-over from his predecessor, Onovo, also warned Policemen against the menace of armed robbers and against their negative attitude at road blocks throughout the country.
According to him policemen must be prepared to drop those tendencies that give them bad image among members of the public, adding that he was poised to implement approved reforms by the government.
He also asked them to brace up for the challenges of guaranteeing a free and fair elections in 2011, saying the Police had been accused of partisanship, which must stop.
Sadly, you are aware of the menace of kidnapping particularly in the South-East. I want to seize this opportunity to warn the operatives and operators, the leadership and the followers of policemen and women in the region that they must endeavour to sit up.
The armed robbery being committed along some of our major roads must certainly be minimized. The corrupt tendencies of some of our personnel particularly those at the check points must also stop. This and such other vices are the ones that have caused the members of the public to lose faith in us, he stressed.
On the 2011 general elections, Ringim told them that they should brace up and guarantee free and fair elections as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan.
You are now aware that in the next three months we shall have our elections from the time table of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Shortly we shall commence the process of electioneering campaigns, the primaries of the parties and the rest of the political activities proper and it is my sincere wish advice and counsel, especially for those commissioners that hold command responsibilities that they sit up and face the situation squarely.
I sincerely and honestly agree with the outgoing IG that what this nation needs is a free and fair election for us to move forward.
The police are at the centre of most of these activities and I seize this opportunity and request as well as direct and instruct that this leadership would not allow for any partisanship involvement of any police officer in any political activities.
I therefore, would like to seize this opportunity to warn that officers and men that have anything to do with any political partys activities must be careful and cautious.
We have gone through a lot of allegations and complaints and this is not the time when we will drag our names in the mud.
In line with the wishes and instructions and the directives of the Commander- in- Chief, we must all be able to provide a level ground for all political participants as well as the political parties.
Pointing out that former IGP, Onovo, did his best while in office, he told the police officers not to engage in activities that would force government to create complimentary agencies that would carry out police primary duties.
I also want to say that the former IGP used to say that you cannot make an omelette without breaking some eggs and so, without wanting to threaten anybody, if you dont want to be part of that omelette, don't allow yourself to be broken because the police has taken too much bashing.
It is something that we can collectively redeem. The police are one of the oldest organizations in this country and it is supposed to be the best.
We have seen how various outfits have been carved out of the Nigeria Police Force. That is the prerogative of government and over the years we have also allowed the government by giving them reason to do that.
This administration would not allow for any reason for government to think of further clipping the size or the number of the outfit of the Nigeria police force,he said.
We cannot but praise the last police administration for the efforts they put in spite of the numerous hurdles they had to cross.
We can only praise their vision and we intend to look at what efforts they have put, what problems they faced, what obstacles they had to cross and what impediments they had to come through and promise to rededicate ourselves to make sure that where changes are necessary; we shall make them, where difficulties are found we shall surmount them; where stubbornness is met, we shall attempt to demolish them.
Like Mr Onovo has said, our nation is facing very difficult times and the police is part and parcel of the nation.
Our nation cannot suffer without the police suffering and I know God willing, with the assistance you and the remaining senior officers here and other members of the rank and file and inspectorate and the necessary cooperation that they will give us, the assistance and help that the Federal Government would see comes in more handy than before we shall definitely overcome.
He explained that from the briefings he received from Onovo, he was poised to take the Police to the next level.
Onovo while handing over to Mr. Ringim, reminded him that though he would face enormous challenges, I urge you to brace up for it, as it was turbulent while I served the nation.
He explained that he was appointed as IGP when the Boko Haram problem erupted, regretting that due to logistics problems, the matter is yet to be resolved, in addition to armed robbery and kidnappings and the attitude of policemen at road blocks which have remained his nightmares.
The former police boss who apologized to Nigerians, the media and his colleagues in the Police for not living up to their expectation, noted that the Police constantly faces social, economic, political and tribal challenges which he believed were responsible for the noticed lapses.
An occasion where we are fighting almost bare handed and given the strong political, economic, social, cultural and other problems, that make policing so frustrating in our country, we can only still give our best.
I also want to say that when I say we are facing enormous challenges, I am not joking at all. Elections are around the corner and those factors that make insecurity thrive are still not abated.
These are those factors I had earlier mentioned. They are still there. So, you have enormous challenges ahead; brace up for them. You have done it before and I know you can do it again.
When the Anambra election was coming up, people thought we will not do it, it will be this; it will be that; it will be hot; it will be somehow; we did it and no single shot was fired.
I believe and pray that the next election will also come that way. I believe and pray that Nigeria will give us a chance and let us perform. With the leadership of Ringim, I am sure, we will get there,Onovo stated
This is a bold step taken in view of the current misgivings on the part of the Police Force.I hope this is enough to rouse the dedication required.The police will definitely get our praises when things begin to change for the better.
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