Posted by From John-Abba Ogbodo (Abuja) and Odita Sunday (Lagos) on
A NEW enhanced police crime fighting outfit tagged: "To serve and protect with integrity" is to replace the recently-scrapped Operation Fire-For-Fire initiated by the retiring Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tafa Balogun.
A NEW enhanced police crime fighting outfit tagged: "To serve and protect with integrity" is to replace the recently-scrapped Operation Fire-For-Fire initiated by the retiring Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tafa Balogun.
According to the Police High Command spokesman, Mr. Emmanuel Ighodalo, the name of the new outfit is to be boldly printed on all police patrol vehicles nation-wide.
Meanwhile, the Acting IGP, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, has released N23 million to the 46 squadrons of the Police Mobile Force.
Briefing newsmen about the new anti-crime outfit created by Ehindero, Ighodalo said: "The guiding philosophy for the present police force is policing with integrity where the notions of justice, fairness and pursuit of common goodwill be the focus."
The scrapped Operation Fire-for-Fire was introduced by Balogun on assumption of office in 2002.
Although the high command praised the achievement of the Operation Fire-for-Five in reduction of crime in the country, it said that the new Police Motto would instill discipline in the officers and men and also go a long way in improving the battered image of the force before members of the public, especially as regards extortion from motorists on the highways.
According to Ighodalo, the order to change the inscription on all police patrol vehicles takes immediate effect.
"Signals have been sent to all divisions and police formations all over the country to comply immediately," he said.
The Force PRO also said that corruption would be wiped out within the police force.
His words: "No longer would policemen pay for uniforms to be given to them. We want to build a police force that is not hostile to the public. We want policemen who will not collect bribe from suspects, money for bail or harass motorists for N20."
Ighodalo said that the 10-point agenda would be vigorously pursued while incivility and brutality will be stamped out.
He warned: "Any policeman that cannot fit in or ensure the new principle should put up his resignation letter."
"Any officer or rank and file caught making returns to his boss would now be shown the way out of the force.
"If the issue of returns to officers is addressed, corruption is half-solved."
Giving N500,000 each to the 46 squadrons at a meeting with their commanders at the weekend in Abuja, the Acting IGP asked them to use the money judiciously to refurbish vehicles and pay outstanding allowances.
He said that to make the mobile units more effective, the police hierarchy would reduce the personnel but increase the number of outlets.
The police chief also disclosed that the highway patrol units would now be answerable to state commissioners of police just as he reiterated that mobile policemen attached to public officers would be replaced with conventional officers.
Ehindero tasked all state commissioners to scrap Operation Fire-for-Fire and in its place inscribe To Protect and Serve With Integrity.
He also charged policemen to redouble their efforts and assured that the Federal Government would assist at all times.