No doubt, IGP Ibrahim Idris may be one of the happiest persons in Nigeria at the moment, following his confirmation as substantive Inspector General of Police by the Council of State on Wednesday, September 7, 2016.
This is second Council of State meeting under President Muhammadu Buhari, after the first meeting was held on October 21, 2015. It will be recalled that IGP Ibrahim Idris’ confirmation came barely four months after President Buhari elevated him from an Assistant Inspector General of Police to the Acting IGP, following the retirement of his predecessor, IGP Solomon Arase who retired from service on Monday, June 20, 2016.
As a refined Police Officer, IGP Ibrahim Idris has commenced serious reform to ensure high standard of behaviour in the official conduct of Nigeria Police and eliminate impunity and ensure transparency in the Police Force.
IGP Ibrahim Idris has instituted a responsive Police; meaning it will be against work ethics henceforth for any Police Commander at any Command level to treat complaints with levity and complaint received from members of the public must be treated within shorted possible time to the satisfaction of the complainant.
This is a welcome development from the IGP as effective communications promotes unity and stall crisis.
IGP Ibrahim Idris has also laid a foundation to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of Police Cooperative and Police insurance schemes especially for the ranks and file that constitute the largest contributors. He is operating an open door policy by ensuring that contributors have more say in the running of these accounts and on how their investments will be utilized on daily basis.
In his effort to give a boost to the current administration’s war on corruption, IGP Ibrahim Idris has strengthen the Police X-Squad Units in all Police Commands with the deployment of thoroughly vetted, selfless and patriotic officers to tackle corruption and abuse of office within the Nigeria Police and at the Federal, States and Local Government levels. The personnel deployed to the Anti-Corruption Unit are supported with incentives to make them more effective in the discharge of their duties.
We all know the conditions of most Police Barracks in Nigeria today. In line with is mandate to promote the welfare of the Nigeria Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris is leaving no stone unturned on the issue of provision of cheap and affordable accommodation for the Police ranks and file to own individually.
Since his assumption of office, IGP Idris has ensured prompt and timely payment of salaries of serving personnel. As part of his promise, the total One Hundred and Seventeen cheques amounting to One Hundred and Ninety two Million Naira (N192,000,000.00) was presented to the families of late Police Officers. IGP Ibrahim Idris has vowed to ensure that the police are not at disadvantaged position compared to other Security Agencies in terms of salaries and other entitlements.
Another promise he made on taking over from the former IGP Arase was the establishment of Forensic Laboratories in the six geopolitical zones in the country. Recently, Vice President Osinbajo laid the foundation for the Forensic Laboratory in the FCT. This Forensic Laboratories will boost the capacity of the police to effectively and efficiently investigate and prosecute crime within the organization.
Coordination with other security agencies is very critical at this period of security challenges in the country. IGP Ibrahim Idris has ensured that every Police Command headquarters establish Joint Operation Center for effective coordination and synergy with other security agencies to adequately respond to major crises 24 hours.
Nigerians knows that violent criminality is gradually taking over our streets, neighborhoods and communities. In order to address these ugly challenges, the Special Anti-Robbery Squads in the State Commands is undergoing restructuring and reorganization so as to be made more robust to reverse these ugly trends in our communities. The personnel deployed to these squads are well trained and motivated accordingly to perform their duties.
IGP Ibrahim Idris as a gender friendly Police officer, he has ensured the posting of Female Officers in Command Positions in States and it is boosting the morale of female Police officers.
Considering the above agenda of IGP Ibrahim Idris, I am calling on every Nigeria to support and cooperate with the Police under the leadership of IGP Ibrahim Idris to make Nigeria safer and more united. The security of our communities is the responsibility of all of us; we must support the Nigeria Police Force with maximum cooperation to ensure that this country shall continue to be more united and prosperous.
May Almighty Allah continue to guide the Inspector General of Police – Amen.
Written by Adewole Kehinde.
kennyadewole@gmail.com
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