Independent NG
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that no federal government since 1999 has been as committed as his administration in reforming and repositioning the police force.
The President said that in 2019 he signed into law extending the Police Trust Fund, the first in the history of the force, to support the police welfare, logistics and equipment.
“In September 2020, I assented to the bill amending the Nigeria police which was enacted in 1943, this new scheme is to spell out the modality of implementation of policing scheme in Nigeria. This new scheme will bring to our local communities and make them stakeholders in the safety and security of their environment,” he said.
Buhari who spoke on Thursday in Lagos at the commissioning of security equipment donated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
The President said, “We are currently recruiting 10,000 new police officers to reinforce our capacity across the country, and in addition to this, I have directed the national salaries, incomes and wages commission to carry out an upward review of police salaries and benefits. Ladies and gentlemen, as we improve the police capacities, we equally have our expectations from them, first let me commend the Inspector General of Police and the entire force for the recent efforts at some troubled parts of the country. I have charged the IGP to leave no stone unturned in rebuilding his officers, especially in the aftermath of the mindless violence associated with the EndSARS protests as well as the recent spikes of attacks on police in some parts of the country.”
The president maintained that a nation that will turn its personnel and infrastructures into targets of attack is moving into self destruction. “We will deal decisively against any persons fomenting or carrying out attacks on our police force or other security personnel. Let me also use this opportunity to reiterate my directive to security agencies to shoot any person or persons found illegally carrying AK-47 and other assault weapons, remain in place. As commander in chief, my primary responsibility remains the security of the country and the safety of all citizens. Despite the many challenges that we are facing, I want Nigerians to be rest assured that we will secure this country.”
“We will secure our infrastructures, our highways, our communities and our forests. We will also secure the lives of our people. To effectively accomplish this goal we will require the support of all stakeholders, including other tiers of government and Non Government sector, like the traditional, community and religious leaders, the private sectors, civil society organizations and the citizens.”
He added, “Security is our collective responsibility and credible intelligence which is a necessary ingredient to preventing and fighting crime cannot be obtained without the cooperation of citizens and communities. I commend Lagos State for what it is doing in the area of reinforcement and support for the security in the State. I also commend all the private sectors that have risen up to the challenge and partnered wonderfully with the state government in its ongoing effort to quell the various crimes instituted in the state. It is my hope that this private public sector partnership will be an example to others to demonstrate similar generosity.
While urging other states to emulate Lagos State, Buhari said, “It is commendable that Lagos State the centre of excellence in the face of the massive destruction suffered last October. You didn’t allow yourselves to be deterred by the incident; instead you bounced back and started rebuilding process those raising the confidence of residents and investors in the state.
“I acknowledge the initiative taken to kick start the rebuilding process through the establishment of the Lagos Security Trust Fund and through this laudable effort by the Lags State Security Trust Fund. I am urging other state governments to emulate your bold creative and resourceful initiative.”
This Story first Appeared At The Independent NG
