Govt to restructure police, tasks new cadets on security

[TGD]

 MINISTER of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd), has disclosed plan by the Federal Government to restructure the Nigerian Police towards boosting its capacity to face the current security challenges in the country.

Olubolade spoke as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Hafiz Ringim, at the weekend urged policemen to reach out to their colleagues in the armed forces and para-military organisations.

The minister assured the nation that the threat being posed by the Boko Haram sect would soon be a thing of the past as the police, after restructuring, will be able to deal with such threat.

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, blamed the pervasive rot in the Nigeria Police

on long years of military interregnum in the country.

According to the traditional ruler, the past military regimes deliberately marginalised the police due to perceived rivalry between the security organisation and the military.

Olubolade, who spoke at the weekend at the Ewi's palace during a courtesy call on the Ewi-in-Council in Ado Ekiti, said the Nigeria Police needs serious restructuring at this crucial time when the Boko Haram sect members are posing serious threat to the security of the country.

The minister expressed regret over the damage that insecurity occasioned by the activities of the religious sect had done to the corporate image of the country, saying that all hands must be on deck to nip the situation in the bud.

According to him, the image of the police would be redeemed under his watch by ensuring that the security personnel keep to the tenets of best practices obtainable in advanced climes.

The minister assured that thoroughbred, youthful and agile graduates of higher institutions would be recruited into the system for better policing system in Nigeria. Olubolade hinted that it is now a sin for the police to disclose the identities of informants to the public, saying this has been hindering the performances of the security organisation in the country.

He appealed to members of the public to always volunteer useful information to make policemen alive to their statutory responsibilities of securing the lives and property of every Nigerian and citizens of other nations resident in Nigeria.

Oba Adejugbe described the Police Affairs Ministry as strategic to the

development of the nation, but alleged that former military leaders marginalised the police.

Speaking at the passing out parade of cadet officers at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, the IGP remarked that working with colleagues in the armed forces would impact positively on the performance of the police.

The IGP, who reminisced his days as a cadet, remarked that the newly commissioned officers are better placed to work in concert with fellow security personnel now compared to what was obtained years back.

Congratulating the cadets, he charged them to discharge their duties diligently as well as live up to the expectations of Nigerians for effective policing of the polity.

 



The Guardian