The Inspector general of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is winning the war against insecurity in the country.
Adamu made this declaration while fielding questions from journalists during an interactive session with officers in charge of Special Anti-Robbery squad (SARS), Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other special units, Thursday at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“We are winning the war because criminals have not taken over the place… we are succeeding because if we are not the citizens will not be able to sleep. The criminals will be everywhere.
“We have arrested and arraigned many of these criminal elements but you know that society is dynamic and some people are only involved in crime. So, as you are strategising they are also re-strategising.
“…So far, we have recorded a lot of successes. Some of the bandits have been engaged and lost their lives, some of our officers were also injured but we have recorded a lot of successes.”
Earlier, the police boss said the session had become imperative because of the need to address concerns on the rising rate of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in the country.
According to him, “It is our sole responsibility as the lead internal security agency to make the country safe for all citizens, and this is your purview as field officers directly charged with the mandate of addressing the threat of kidnapping and armed robbery.
“Your performance, sense of commitment to duty, and professional competence in this instance remain critical to the ability of the Police to prevent or optimally respond to these crimes.
“Within this context, we must also address issues touching on the abuse of powers, misuse of firearms and other extra-judicial actions by personnel in your Units. Let me re-emphasise here, once again, that our primary responsibility is to protect the lives and property of the citizens we were engaged to serve.”
Speaking further, he said: “As I charge you to rededicate yourselves to your duties by taking the war against violent criminals to their door steps, I also strongly warn you all that this must be done within the ambit of the law and acceptable professional ethics.
“Again, let me sound a note of warning here as I have done in various fora, that any officer that is involved in extra-judicial killing and abuse of power will be held accountable for his action and risks losing his job and facing criminal prosecution.
“Furthermore, you as the line supervisors of such erring officers shall be held vicariously liable for supervisory negligence be similarly sanctioned.”
He further stated: “In order to complement your efforts, we shall soon fully resuscitate, re-organize and expand the operations of the Safer Highway Patrol scheme. This is with intent to enhance visibility policing within the public space and particularly, at vulnerable areas across the country.
“We are also exploring the concept of Safer City where CCTV technology will be optimally engaged to support our operations. In addition, we are exploring the possibility of establishing a National Crime Analysis Centre which will be engaged in the collation, analysis and dissemination of criminal intelligence to support your operations.”
