SAFAR 20 1431 A.H.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2010.
Print This Page 
Good tidings for Nigeria Police-IG assures
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ogbonna Onovo, has assured police officers of a better welfare package to boost their morale.
Onovo gave the assurance yesterday in Asaba while addressing officers and men of the Delta Police Command during his working visit to the state.
He said that the recommendations of the M.D Yusuf-led panel would soon be implemented, adding that its adoption was a road map to a better and efficient Force.
``I came for two reasons; one is to talk to our colleagues in Anambra about the governorship election coming up on Saturday.
``Then I also came around to see you. I have been trailing with keen interest the happenings in your state and the challenges you face on a daily basis.
``I have also noted the sacrifice that this command has made, those who died for others to live from this command as a result of the militancy in the Niger Delta region,’’ he said.
Onovo said that the Force was aware of the challenges that faced the officers in terms of logistics and welfare problems.
``That was why the M.D Yusuf reform panel was set up and they came up with 125 recommendations and a road map to a better, efficient and effective police force.
``We are in a threshold of having a new police force; we have even started by changing your attitude.
`` You must protect the innocent, the weak, ensure equity and be a model.
``What the committee recommended for the least police officer is mouth watering.
`` I implore you not to lose hope because better things are on the way. It is for real,’’ he said.
Onovo commended the officers for their efforts in promoting peace and order, but cautioned that the Force no longer had space for illiterates.
The IGP also warned against extra-judicial killings by policemen, saying he would disassociate himself from any officer who unlawfully killed anyone.
Earlier, Alhaji Yakubu Alkali, Commissioner of Police in Delta state, had said the command was prepared to key into the IGP’s Three-Point Agenda.
``These include training and retraining of officers and men, intelligence-led policing and zero tolerance for corruption.
``It is envisaged that this will assist to achieve professionalism and confidence building, improve community policing, consultative and strategic partnership with all stakeholders,’’ he said.
The commissioner said that Delta was the most peaceful of all the states in the Niger Delta region.
Alkali commended the federal government’s amnesty programme and the Delta government's peace and security agenda.
He, however, prayed the IGP to help train more officers from the command, provide petrol vehicles, barracks accommodation, arms and ammunition.
On his part, Muhammad Abubakar, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 5, Benin, assured of the zone's commitment to duty.
``We are ready and capable to discharge our duties. I pledge the Force’s commitment and loyalty to the IGP,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Delta command is deploying no fewer than 1,000 police officers to Anambra state for the governorship election.
