Abuja- President Goodluck Jonathan Monday declared that Nigeria
is currently going through a trying moment in terms of security. “This
is a trying moment in this country in terms of security challenges”, the
president said while commissioning seven helicopters, 500 patrol vans,
and armoured personnel vehicles at the grand parade of the Police week,
2013 in Abuja.
He said “a lot of policemen have lost their lives to terrorism
attacks. Let me use this opportunity to condole families of those who
lost their lives. I want to assure you (families) that government will
continue to care for the loved ones left behind”.
Stressing that the helicopters and patrol vans are necessary tools
for the police to perform creditably, Jonathan said, “I expect these
equipment will help improve the response time to distress calls to the
police. I also want to advise the police to improve on the maintenance
capability of the force. I have observed that the armed forces, now have
very good and formidable teams that maintain their equipment and
facilities. The police should do same”.
According to him, the imperatives of the deadly security challenges
confronting the nation in the area of terrorism, kidnapping and other
heinous crimes has made it expedient that the 36 states of the country
acquire helicopters for the 36 Police Commands.
He noted that the Nigeria Police has a duty to protect the citizens from the land, air and sea and
urged the police authorities to continue to ensure training of the
officers and men on modern policing methods that will take into account,
the democratic environment of the nation. He added that what Nigerians
want is a people friendly police force that is timely in response time
to distress.
In his address, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar
warned the criminal community in the country to brace up for a renewed
crackdown by the Nigerian Police, following the wind of change that is
now blowing through the force.
According to the IG, “A cultural re-orientation that is premised on
adoption of international best policing practices is emerging, and the
new police force will display team spirit, loyalty, zeal, courage,
civility and renewed commitment towards confronting criminal elements”.
Declaring that the long term intention and strategic justification
for the police week celebration which is coming up after 37 years
absence is to commence the process of restoring the lost glory of the
force, the IG said, “the essence is to remind police officers that their
efficiency rest solely on the extent of bonding with the public whom
they are paid to protect.
“Inversely, the people have to accept the fact that no matter the
level of private security contraption sewn around themselves, they still
need a body of men and women, they can trust and rely on to protect the
public space”, he said.
Source