Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has on Wednesday, made it very clear to the new Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, that he needs to hit the ground running immediately after his decoration ceremony, due to the increasing insecurity in the country, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s watch,
The Vice President spoke shortly after decorating Baba with his new rank, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, in Abuja.His words:, “You are assuming Office at a very turbulent time in the life of our people. There are multiple threats to law, order, and public safety.
“The role of Law Enforcement Agencies, particularly that of the Police Force, as primary Agency charged with maintaining law and order, has never been more important.“The Police Force is our Institution of first resort, the first line of defence against crime and anarchy, and the first sign of the strength of the State.
”The Vice President told the new Acting IGP that the challenges before him would test his mettle, adding that, the organisation he is leading is in itself facing several challenges.He noted that Policemen still work in extremely difficult condition, while some face the threat of physical harm by terrorists and hostile non-State actors while in the line of duty.In a brief interview with State House Correspondents, Acting IGP Baba admitted that he came on board at a challenging time.
He however promised to improve on the performance of his predecessor.He said that while the Police Management team led by former IGP, Mohammedu Adamu, tried its best, there is still a need for improvement.He stated: “Nigerians will see improvement on where my predecessor has left. I came in at a very challenging time. I know it. I recognise it, and I will work on how to improve from where my predecessor has left.
“I have been a member of the Management team. We have tried to do our best, but it is not enough. There is room for improvement.”Speaking further, he promised to rejig the Police Force’s operational strategies.On equipment and manpower, he said that the Force has the President’s support, and expressed the hope of getting more of what has been requested through the Police Trust Fund, quickly.“Nigerians should expect improvement in the security situation.
“Nigerians should also collaborate and cooperate with us. With all the inadequacies we have, we still require everybody to be part of policing in this country.
“That is why the emphasis on community policing will continue, and the emphasis on collaboration with all other sister Agencies will continue, and we hope to have a better situation very soon.”
