Usman Baba, the inspector general of police, has urged the Nigeria Police Force’s officers to remain apolitical as the general election of 2023 approaches.
IGP Alkali issued this warning in Umuahia, Abia State, following the opening of several projects in the region, including the Divisional Police Officer’s quarters at the Zone 9 Headquarters in Umuahia, the Police Children’s School in the Obingwa LGA, and the Eastern Ngwa Divisional Headquarters, Ubakala Divisional Headquarters.
IGP Baba reminded his men, “You must be impartial, diligent, and firm. You don’t include irrational loyalty and other sentiments into your aptitude for and effectiveness as a police force.
“This is a time leading up to election day, following which we continue on to the post-election phase.
“Be a good peace ambassador. The service is prepared to work with you as a team. When you are acting morally, the general people will also be on your side.
“The government appreciates what you are doing, but you must conduct yourself honestly.” During the election, every effort will be made to improve your life. We’ll pay your allowances.
The IGP gave the following advice on the elections in 2023: “We have a duty to police the election security before, during, and after.
“Political campaigns, rallies, and protection are at a crucial time.”
“We are attempting to give policing to our people in the greatest way we know,” he said, adding that he was improving the image of the police.
“We’re moving forward. In order to better serve the public, we need step up our efforts. We’ll keep pleading and requesting that our wellbeing be better.
“Government knows it is definitely owing us and we will get our due settled by the grace of God,” he said, revealing that he was working on the wage arrears owed to the police by the federal government.
“We intend to graduate another 10,000 police officers from our Police Colleges before the 2023 elections,” he continued.
These police officers—including their LGAs—will be returned to their respective home states.
The SPU was developed, according to the Assistant Inspector General, AIG 9, Isaac Olutayo Akinmoyede, thanks to the fortitude of the Commanding Officer, Igwe Gabriel Amaechi.
Speaking during the occasion, Ikpeazu, who had earlier given the IGP control of the other projects he had developed, pledged to keep giving security agencies logistics to help them carry out their jobs successfully.
