Ololade Adeyanju/
Efforts to create a common front to fight criminals and increase police efficiency received a big boost in Osun State Thursday, as the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, led people from all walks of life to inaugurate a Security Stakeholders’ Forum set up by the police at Zone XI, comprising Oyo, Osun, and Ondo.
Speaking at the event at the Zone XI Command Headquarters in Osogbo, Adamu announced steps being taken to reduce stress in policing and increase his officers’ efficiency by reverting the shift duty structure of the Nigeria Police which is currently a 12-hour, 2-shifts system to the traditional 8-hours, 3-shifts shift standard.
He said, “No police personnel should be made to perform any duty exceeding 8-hours within a space of 24 hours unless there is a local or national emergency. To further strengthen this, the Force Medical Service of the Nigeria Police has been directed to introduce emotional intelligence, stress management and cognitive therapy towards enhancing the psychological and emotional stability of all police personnel while on duty.”
The IGP, who was represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Taiwo Lakanu, told several traditional rulers, captains of industries, top professionals, members of the academic community; representatives of all security agencies, students and traders at the event that a “community-oriented policing system is evolving”.
He said, “I am most delighted by the quality of personalities from the various State Commands in the Zonal who have by their presence not only honoured me but proven that they are truly committed to supporting the Nigeria Police in achieving its community safety and security mandate.
“This is the spirit that my leadership as Inspector General of Police is striving to project and I am deeply gladdened and motivated by the fact that the strategic security actors and the people within this Zone are taking the lead among other Police Formations across the country in driving this process.
“…All these initiatives are directed to close the trust gap between the police and the citizens, create a conducive condition for partnership between the police and the citizens and enhance our potentials for the attainment of our internal security mandate within the context of the principles of community policing.
“In drawing down my remarks, I want to specifically commend and appreciate the foresight, professional depth and sense of commitment to duty of AIG Adeleye Oyebade, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone 11, Osogbo for conceptualizing and driving the process of inaugurating the Zonal Security Stakeholders’ Forum. I also congratulate the government and people of the Zone for supporting this initiative. I similarly, appreciate the three Commissioners of Police, and officers and men of the Zone for their dedication to duty which has occasioned a stable internal security order in their individual Commands and within the Zone. Partnership models of this nature represent a critical source of inspiration to the Police and should be sustained. I, therefore, recommend its adoption by other Police Commands across the country in our renewed drive to address the threats of crime in the country.
“On this note, I have the singular honour to formally inaugurate this all-important Security Stakeholders’ Forum for Zone XI Police Command, in our resolve to ensure adequate safety of lives and property of the citizenry.”
Speaking at the event, the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, said the time had come for Nigeria to embrace state police.
Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, said the “issue is no longer if we need state police but when”.
Ajimobi described Oyo State as one of the safest in Nigeria, adding that this feat was achieved through the commitment and determination of the government.
According to him, these manifested in the formulation and adoption of various security initiatives, including the establishment of ‘Operation Burst and the Oyo State Security Trust Fund, among others.
In his welcome address, AIG Oyebade told personalities at the event, that their presence “no doubt portends hope that a desirable symbiotic relationship exists and should be strengthened between the police and the public in the interest of peace and security of our society”.
He added, “The idea of the Security Stakeholders’ Forum was muted out of burning desire and uncommon willingness to provide robust security for the good people of Ondo, Osun and Oyo states under the Zone. It is this passion and commitment that drive our sincere call for this type of assemblage of individuals who we believe can share in our vision and mission to have a Zonal Police Command, galvanized by zeal for result-oriented, intelligence-driven and problem solving policing.
“While it cannot be denied that the Nigeria Police is doing its best to protect Nigerians and defend our democracy, the point must be made that there are still challenges. Challenges such as kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary, cattle rustling, insurgency and other crimes and criminality still occur in some parts of the country. The Zone is obviously one of the most peaceful in the country. The relative peace in the three states under the Zone would not be achieved but for the support of Mr President, the three state Governors, the Inspector-General of Police and his management team, the good people of the Zone as well as the dedication and commitment of officers and men in the three states.
“I am happy to inform you that we have been able to put criminals at bay in the Zone. We have also arrested some armed robbery suspects, kidnap suspects, suspected ritualists, burglars, recovered cache of arms and ammunition, stolen vehicles, motorcycles, and other valuable property across the Zone since the launch of the ‘Operation Puff Adder’. While some of the cases are still under investigation, others have been charged to courts.
“These modest achievements notwithstanding, there is still room for improvement. But there are obvious challenges militating against effective policing especially in the Zone. These challenges, though not insurmountable, include some logistic problems, communication problem and other infrastructural deficiencies.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in spite of the inherent encumbrances, the vision of the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police is ‘to be a leading national, professional and efficient law enforcement organization’. It is also the mission of the Force ‘to provide safety and security in Nigerian communities, protect and respect human rights, and promote community partnership in preventing and controlling social order’. We do have a Community policing strategy that rests on the tripartite of problem-solving, community partnership and organizational transformation.
“It is our resolve to ensure that this mission is accomplished in the Zone. But the peace and tranquillity we envision cannot be accomplished as long as the perennial problems earlier mentioned continue to stare us in the face. As can be seen, the government alone cannot fund the police hence it requires the collaboration of all.
“The dynamism and propensity of crimes and criminality in Nigeria in general and in the Zone, in particular, requires a multi-facet, multi-dimensional approach if we must succeed in providing quality service that we all desire. The expectation that community policing will solve all security challenges will be a mirage without meaningful contributions from the public. Hence, the need to have the Security Stakeholders’ Forum to serve as a platform through which communities, individuals, and corporate organizations can make their contributions to security.”
Traditional rulers who made glowing remarks on AIG Oyebade’s initiative at the event included the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji.
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