Poll: Police Begin Training on New Electoral Law’s Enforcement as IGP Reviews Activities

Yemi Akinsuyi/

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is set to commence training to fully prepare its personnel for the effective performance of its roles in the forthcoming general elections.

The Inspector-General of Police IGP, Usman Alkali Baba stated this Thursday in Abuja during the opening of the Conference of Strategic Police Managers, involving Commissioners of Police and above from across the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He disclosed that the meeting was being summoned in furtherance to his leadership strategy of constantly engaging strategic Police Managers for the purpose of reviewing the country’s internal security issues and re-evaluating strategies, all to advance the mandate as the lead agency in internal security management of the nation.

He said, “In due course, we shall be engaging in activities that will fully prepare us for the effective performance of our roles in the elections, part of which would be to liaise with the leadership of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Civil Society Organizations and the Nigeria Police Legal Chamber towards dissecting the provisions of the Electoral Act as recently amended”.

He added that this was to ensure that the NPF activities were in conformity with the provisions of the new amended Electoral Act 2022.

Speaking on general security in the country, the IGP said an analysis of trends and patterns of crime since the beginning of the year had shown significant progress in the anti-crime operations of the Force as this had manifested in a downward trend in the frequency of major crimes across the country.

He said, “I’m happy to note that this trend has been informed not only by your individual and collective sacrifices, professionalism, and enhanced operational efficiency, but also reflective of the efficacy of our current strategies.

“It is indeed in furtherance to this that we launched ‘Operation Sahara Storm’ in Sokoto State with the sole aim of rooting out identified bandits’ camps at Gudugudu, Tarke Forest, Luguhuru through Hurra and Markira, Goronyo, Wurno and Heli in Rabbah Local Government and Zangon-Isu forest in Goronyo LGA of the State.

“It’s with a deep sense of professional fulfillment that I wish to note that the operation has recorded massive successes in achieving its set goals.

“As a result, aside from the destruction of all the camps and other assets of the bandits in the above-mentioned criminal enclaves, during the special operations, 38 suspected bandits/terror elements were arrested while the following exhibits were recovered: 32 AK-47 rifles, 1Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher., 1,412 7.62mm live ammunition,1,200 rounds of live AA ammunition, 1 locally fabricated revolver pistol, 3 motor vehicles, and 2 motorcycles,10 cartons of Pentazocine BP 30 Injections, 3 pairs of army camouflage uniform and N800, 000 cash.

 “On a general note, between January 2022 till date, collated crimes statistics revealed that 36 terror elements, 78 murder suspects, 110 armed-robbery suspects, 50 kidnapers, and 150 cultists were arrested during various police operations across the country.

“Others include: 204 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued, while 155 firearms of various descriptions and 1,561 live ammunition were also recovered.”

Baba urged strategic leaders to double their efforts and maintain operational tempo in reducing criminal activities in the country.

Baba, who frowned at the conduct and attitude of some Police Personnel, especially those on the field, warned that henceforth strategic leaders would be held liable for any violation of the Force policy and urged them to go back to their Commands to review the development and ensure that their operations conform strictly with the vision of his leadership.

He said, “There are still areas of grave concern as well as developments that will undoubtedly task our strategic leadership capacity as the Year unfolds. One of such concerns is the conduct and attitude of our men especially police officers on the field.

” I have continually been inundated by complaints of excesses in the conduct of our men on patrol or Stop and Search duties and I have personally had the cause to drive round in the course of which, I witnessed some of these illegalities, particularly in relation to roadblocks.

“I want to reemphasize that while Stop and Search strategy could occasionally be an invaluable anti-crime tactic, such should not be done without requisite approval and must not be a permanent strategy. It must equally be conducted with extant police protocols which emphasize civility to members of the public and must be laced with the highest level of professional decorum. Such must not also be turned into an avenue for extortion.

“Consequently, as strategic leaders, you could be held liable for any violation of this Force policy. You are therefore strongly advised to go back to your Commands, review this development and ensure that your operations conform strictly to the vision of my leadership.”

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