“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” —Tony Robbins,
I was full of smiles on Thursday when the indefatigable Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, was reeling out the operational activities of the Nigeria Police in the first quarter of 2024.
IGP Olukayode Egbetokun is a man with full passion and dedication to work, especially in ensuring the renewed hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is achieved.
According to the IGP at the conference with Strategic Police Managers held at the IGP’s conference room, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, the overriding objective of accessing the first quarter is to pull the necessary levers that will aid the attainment of improved service delivery to the populace for the rest of the year and beyond.
Egbetokun said that despite the formidable challenges police personnel face, ranging from insurgent activities and armed banditry to varying other criminal syndicates and communal clashes, the Nigeria Police has shown unwavering commitment and dedication to its mandate across the Federation.
I recall that some media organisations challenged the police for coming to the media late on the abduction and killing of six police personnel during a special operation at Evil Forest, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State, on February 26, 2024.
The IGP gave a comprehensive response by saying due diligence was carried out to ascertain and arrest those behind the dastardly acts through discreet investigations, which have led to the arrest of nine suspects and are currently assisting in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.
I’m relieved that the IGP has promised to do everything in its power to make sure that the people who killed this employee and numerous others do not get away with murder.
I am also pleased that the IGP has promised to keep up its commitments to the bereaved personnel’s families to lessen their suffering during this time.
The implementation of many initiatives aimed at curbing the increasing prevalence of criminal activity nationwide following the last conference on February 8, 2024, has resulted in significant progress, which is yet another exciting development.
According to IGP Egbetokun, in the past eight weeks, the police recorded one hundred and forty-one cases of terrorism and secessionist attacks, five hundred and thirty-seven cases of murder, one hundred and twenty-six cases of armed robbery, two hundred and fourteen cases of kidnapping, and thirty-nine cases of unlawful possession of firearms.
Also, during the period under review, the Nigeria Police Force arrested three thousand, six hundred eighty-five suspects for their participation in various crimes; four hundred and one kidnapped victims were rescued; two hundred and sixteen various firearms; three thousand, six hundred and one ammunition; and eighty-two vehicles were recovered.
Furthermore, the IGP announced that the police are in the process of conducting a comprehensive review of the Police Regulations and the introduction of a Scheme of Service for the Nigeria Police Force.
The important projects, he said, are intended to improve the welfare and professional growth of our officers and men, modernize the legal framework to conform to modern policing standards supported by the Police Act 2020, and cultivate an excellence and accountability culture within the Force.
Another good news is that the Force has successfully, through unrelenting efforts, secured the release of the insurance claims of deceased police officers, which have accumulated for about eight years.
I have always been an advocate of better welfare for the families of deceased police officers, and from his speech today, IGP Egbetokun has in the last nine months cumulatively presented cheques totaling Seven Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Fifty-One Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo (N7,263,391,051.73K) to Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Fourteen (2,514) families of deceased police officers.
Apart from actualizing a consistent bi-monthly release of insurance benefits to the families of departed personnel who had died in the course of their service to the nation (including payment of some backlogs of insurance claims), the Force under IGP Egbetokun has recently concluded the registration process of the NPF Insurance Company Limited with the Corporate Affairs Commission, and we are steadily progressing towards the operationalization of the company.
The new company will aid in the processing of our insurance funds directly from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
I am at peace with the IGP on finding a solution to the agitation of police retirees arising from their poor pension earnings and the quest for enhanced pension, culminating in protests and demands for exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
I have written many articles on the Police Pension, and I am impressed that the Force leadership is carefully working on a scheme that will put an end to the agitations and put smiles on the lips of every policeman, either serving or retired.
Another sterling achievement of IGP Egbetokun is the introduction of police awards and commendations, which are now scheduled to be held on April 15, 2024, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, and to be presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
I am aware that the process of sorting through the numerous nominations received from commands and formations has been successfully concluded.
In addition to providing a venue for recognising the brave and honourable deeds of Nigeria police heroes, I hope the event will inspire others.
A good living condition is important for optimal service delivery, as housing is a fundamental physiological human need and the foundation for developing higher human motivation.
I am impressed that the police under IGP Egbetokun are putting together the NPF Housing Summit, scheduled to take place between April 22 and 23, 2024.
The IGP said that apart from bringing together all the critical participants in the housing value chain with the capacity to support the police shelter initiatives, the Housing Summit will also provide the avenue for launching the Police Fund.
I was so excited to hear that the IGP has toed the line on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s call for climate justice and international support from world leaders as developing nations transition to zero carbon emissions at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023.
It is a good development that the Nigeria Police Force has concluded plans to launch the Nigerian Police Green Initiatives.
According to the IGP, it is to make significant contributions to help the country meet its energy transition goals. Nigerian Police Green Initiatives is aimed at engaging innovative green solutions to boost the operational capacity and capacity of the Nigeria Police to fight crime and maintain law and order in the country and comprises three key sectors, namely Renewable Energy Deployment, Alternative Energy Solutions and Community Green Outreach.
The narrative of IGP Kayode Egbetokun’s achievement is far from over. Under his direction, the Nigerian Police Force has evolved into what it ought to be. In order to make the Nigerian police force the finest in Africa and the entire globe, Nigerians must share their thoughts and offer prayers to IGP Egbetokun.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846 or kennyadewole@gmail.com.
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