By; AYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba has advocated robust synergy and cooperation between the Nigeria Police and members of the public in and across the country.
Speaking at the commissioning of an ultra modern Police Station in Ado Awaye in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, the IGP disclosed that police can only discharge their statutory roles only when there is cooperation between them and members of the public.
The IGP was represented at the ulta modern Police station commissioning, consisting of male and female cells, change rooms, rest rooms and other offices and a well furnished barrack, consisting of six flats of two bed rooms each, located at Ado-Awaye town, by Deputy Inspector General Of Police for South West, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, said this is the only way to achieve an effective Community Policing.
“Members of the public need to cooperate and synergize with the police in order to positively impact on the current community policing. It takes an active participation of members of the public in providing adequate security for lives and property of where they reside,” he said.
IGP Baba added, ” when the working environment is conducive and place of habitation is equally conducive, it will impact positively on service delivery of officers”.
The IGP stressed that improved welfare packages for the ranks and files of officers would impact positively on their service delivery to the public and that inauguration of the Police station and barrack is one of his welfare packages to see that police officers are able to work and reside in a conducive atmosphere.
“When there is improved service delivery in the discharge of our statutory duties and responsibilities, definitely members of the public will be our friends. What I am trying to do is to rewrite the narration of mutual trust between the police and the public and to truly see members of the public as friends of the police and police true friend of the public, I hope with this modern edifice, there will be better service delivery.” He said.
Promising not to relent on his oars at improving the welfare of officers, the IGP urged the officers to reciprocate the gesture.
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP. Adebowale Williams in his remarks, said that the priority and concern of the IGP in the protection of lives and property of the public necessitated the construction of the Police station and barrack in Ado-Awaye.
CP Williams assured the IGP of the command’s improved commitment towards effective implementation of crime fighting strategies, in accordance with best standard practices and improved service delivery to people of the state, saying Oyo State Police command has recorded a lot of successes in recovery of arms and ammunition, vehicles, arrest of high profile kidnap suspects, foiled bank robberies, among others.
“I would like to specially appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for his kind considerations in prioritizing welfare incentives, not just to the Oyo State Police Command, but to the entirety of the Force. I’m also grateful to the IGP for including Oyo State Police command among the beneficiaries of health and insurance policies, upkeep for families of deceased officers, provisions of tactical equipment to include but not limited to Gears, Trucks and Armament and Training amongst others.”
CP Williams then lauded other sister security agencies, religious leaders and traditional rulers and other stakeholders for their partnership and influence in ridding the state off undesirable criminal elements.
