…Approves Salary Adjustments For Ranking Officers
In what might appear to be a vote of no confidence on the Nigeria police, President Muhammadu Buhari has said he regrets the inability of the police force to perform their constitutional roles in curbing crimes.
According to the President, the development was taking its toll on the military, making them get too involved in the maintenance of law and order throughout the country.
Lamenting the situation, he said, “From Taraba to Sokoto, to the South-South, people do not feel secure until they see the military”.
He made the observation at the State House, Abuja when the Inspector General of Police, Idris Abubakar and members of the Nigeria Police Service Commission paid him a courtesy visit.
Buhari recently approved an increase in salary structure of the police personnel to boost their morale.
He observed that the more efficient the police is, the more confident the government and citizens will be. According to him, “The military should be reserved for higher tasks. The police should be able to cope well with the challenges of armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and such crimes. In every town and village, there is the presence of the police. From all these places, they should be able to forward first-class intelligence to you on which to act.”
“There is a need to amplify the question of more men of the police, especially given the condition we are in – emergency in the North-East, pervasive insecurity and abduction for ransom and banditry in many parts of the country. I congratulate you on the success you recorded against criminals taxing people and stopping them from their farms. We are expecting more from you,”
Speaking further, he said, “I am pleased to make the increase in salary and allowances in the hope that it will increase the performance index of the police and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security system.”
He assured that his administration will continue to give attention to the welfare and operational needs of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with a view to restoring its lost primacy in the internal security framework of the country.
Full-time Commissioner in the Nigeria Police Service Commission, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (rtd), who represented the chairman, Musiliu Smith, had informed the President that the Rank Salary Structure Adjustment would enhance police welfare and morale.
Meanwhile, the Police IG, Idris said all is now set to ensure effective policing for the country in the 2019 general elections.
He assured that the police would redouble efforts to ensure free, fair and credible elections throughout the country next year.
“We are ready; we have gone around the country; we have conducted several bye-elections which obviously prepared us to face the main challenge next.
“I am assuring all Nigerians that we are going to do our best in ensuring that we have a free and credible election next year.
“Obviously, we have the equipment but if we can get more, we will appreciate it, ”he said
