BEVERLY HILLS, May 25, (THEWILL) – Authorities have disclosed plans by the Federal Government to review the welfare package for officers and men of the Nigeria Police force.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police for Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Moses Jitoboh, stated this in Uyo during a tour of police formations recently attacked by hoodlums in Akwa Ibom State.
Jitoboh stated that the review of welfare packages, like gratuities and pension of policemen, and the provision of facilities, would enable policemen work better and boost their battered image owing to recent attacks on policemen and police formations.
He said: “The Inspector General of Police is looking into the welfare of the police. Gratuities and pensions are being reviewed. He is working on it, and the President of the country has given him that assurance that it will take place soonest. Policemen will start smiling.
“On the provision of facilities for the police, the President is worried, the Inspector General of Police is worried and everything is being done to address this police logistics and need.”
Speaking with security stakeholders during a meeting at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, the DIG said the Inspector General of Police mandated him, as the most senior officer in the South-South, to be the theatre commander of a new operation called, “Operation Restore Peace.”
He said “Operation Restore Peace” is hinged on the premise that, never again will any policeman be killed unjustly and police formations attacked and destroyed.
Jitoboh explained that the internal security of the state would be reorganised to function better, adding that community policing would be well coordinated for effectiveness.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Police, President Muhammadu Buhari has instructed and formed a special squad for the South-South and South-East, which is being coordinated by the IG himself.
“We have to restore peace that is almost broken, we have to bring peace together and the way we are going to do it, Nigeria and the world would be grateful.
“Men and assets have being deployed, of which the IGP launched in Enugu and Port Harcourt. We have put down mechanisms in place to tackle attacks on Police formations.
“I want to tell the people of Akwa Ibom State that peace is here. Peace will be restored. Operation Restore Peace has come to stamp its feet and we want to tell them that we have adopted a slogan, ‘Never Again.’ Never again will policemen be killed unjustly; never again will police stations be burnt, never again.
“I have gone to Ikot Akpan in Essien Udim, the biggest hotbed, we have dominated that place, the Police has taken over everything there and peace has been restored. So, never again will the police take all these killings and wanton destruction of properties.
“I’m also here to tell you that with what had happened, we will change the internal security so that it would be better. The internal security of this state will be reengineered and you will have a better Police Force. We will retool our community policing to make it better.”
While speaking, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6, Zaki Ahmed, said although the police was the custodian of security, security was impossible without the cooperation of the police.
Ahmed said: “We have never had it so bad like in recent times. So many officers were attacked, facilities destroyed, including patrol vehicles.
“We are the custodian of security, but it is impossible to have security without the support of the public. The morale of the police is low but I believe after the interaction, their morale will be boosted.”
The Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew, who revealed that 23 officers have so far died within the period, said 22 of them died during the attacks on police formations, while one died in an accident.
He stated that the criminal elements were part of the society and would wreak havoc if they are allowed to continue.
He said, “It has been hectic for a while now. In two months, the Command has lost 23 officers, 22 died to security issues and one died to accident.
“The criminal is not a spirit. Within the society, the percentage of criminals is not up to 3 percent; but if they are allowed to continue, they would wreak havoc.
“It is a sad thing that has happened but my prayer is that we don’t loss officers again. I hope we will be able to come to a truce on how to resolve our problems.”
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