The Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has banned the use of mobile police men as bodyguards to politicians and other unauthorised individuals.
The Police chief declared this on Thursday at the passing-out parade of Police Mobile Force Squadron Commanders Seminar/Combat Operation Course 03/2016 held at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State.
Idris ordered that all the mobile policemen deployed to unauthorised beats or attached to individuals be withdrawn with immediate effect.
He directed commanders of the operational arm of the police force to henceforth display a high sense of professionalism by ensuring that personnel are appropriately deployed and attached to only authorised persons.
The police boss also warned all rank and file officers to shun tribalism, nepotism, segregation and sectionalism, maintaining that there was no divide and rule in the force.
He also charged them against taking human life, which he described as precious.
The IGP restated that all commissioned officers from the rank of an assistant superintendent of police to the inspector-general of police would soon declare their assets to signal the force’s commitment to checking corruption amongst its personnel.
While directing his speech to commanders of the operational arms of the force, the IGP said, “I charge you to take supervision and control of your men very seriously as this is the hallmark of a disciplined and responsible officer.
Idris said, “As commanders of the operational arm of the force, it is of utmost importance that you display a high sense of professionalism by ensuring that your personnel are appropriately deployed to authorized persons only. On this premise,all personnel deployed to unauthorised beats/individuals should be withdrawn immediately, for policemen are not body guards.
“As part of measures to check corruption and in line with the current administration’s anti-corruption mantra, efforts are in top gear to ensure that all commissioned officers from the rank of an assistant superintendent of police to the IG declare their assets.
“This initiative is aimed at checking the activities of corrupt practices and detering others from indulging in corrupt practices. Corruption is a canker worm which has been identified as the most critical factor holding the Nigeria Police back from the path of quality and professional service delivery. Past administration has done so much to tackle corruption and ensure that the force is riddled of a few misguided elements bringing infamy upon the image of the force.
“This administration hopes to consolidate on this solidly built foundation and ensure that the root cause of this virus is fought to a standstill by frontally engaging the IGP monitoring unit and X-squad to checkmate officers nationwide with a view to enforcing accountability, transparency and Discipline among officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force.”
“This event is coming at a very crucial time when the present administration of Buhari is determined to build a police force capable of Combating emerging security challenges of national concern such as kidnapping, militancy, insurgency, terrorism, communal clashes, cattle rustling and a host of other organized crimes.”
