EGBETOKUN SEEKS TO IMPROVE POLICING WELFARE AND USE TECHNOLOGY IN POLICING

By Tunji Wusu – On Wednesday, Kayode Egbetokun, the acting inspector general of police, began his duties at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He noted that policing will be technology-driven under his direction and promised improved welfare for police officers.

Usman Baba officially stepped down from his position as IG on Wednesday, handing the reins to Egbetokun in a ceremony conducted at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Egbetokun’s appointment as interim IG by President Bola Tinubu was announced by the Presidency on Monday.

As the nation’s 22nd IG, Egbetokun was honored on Tuesday at the State House by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The interim IG remarked that much work remained to be done to enhance policing in Nigeria after accepting the police leadership baton from Baba on Wednesday.

“The Nigeria Police Force will pursue quality, accountability, and transparency. In order to ensure effective and efficient resource use, we will also include a technology-driven strategy.

“We will offer police personnel support systems that would meet their physical and psychological needs. Programs will be introduced to help each officer develop their minds and hearts. We’ll protect the country, he declared.

Egbetokun revealed plans to improve the Force’s capacity for gathering intelligence while highlighting the significance of community policing as a key policy objective of his administration.

Additionally, he urged Nigerians to assist the police in their efforts to combat criminal activity while expressing his desire to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and advance the use of technology to ensure internal security.

The departing Inspector General of Police, Baba, expressed satisfaction on his part and said he was leaving the Nigeria Police Force in a better state than when he arrived.

“I address you on this occasion with a sense of gratitude to almighty Allah and a profound sense of professional fulfillment,” Baba stated.

“As I leave the Force’s leadership today, I think I’ve left it in a better place than when I arrived. I think my contributions to Nigerian policing have been worthwhile.