By Abimbola Obatayo, Ibadan
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Abubakar Adamu has assured the officers of the Nigeria Police Force that there is going to be a reward of promotion for any officer that performs diligently in the course of duty.
The IGP who is on a working visit to the Oyo State Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele Ibadan today 3rd September said that “I have been in Ibadan since yesterday for a security meeting between the police, some major stakeholders in security circle and the South West Governors, I know there are some isolated challenges here and there, your efforts are not going unnoticed.”
“I commend your level of workforce, the situation of things will have been worsen if you are not on ground, any police officer, including the junior officers that excels, hardworking officer must be promoted for that performance.”
“Our president Muhammad Buhari always ask me if the officers are well taken care of and we will always make sure that you are well taken care of, we will look into our Barracks for renovations so that our men looking for house here and there can have a conducive place for themselves and their families.”
“You must be properly kitted anytime you are going to any duty operation to protect yourself, though man power is not enough, we are currently recruiting, and very soon we will train and get more officers into the system. We have secured a lot of vehicles and they will soon be launched and be deployed on the highway, those vehicles will be equipped with security gadgets and cameras to make work easier for you.” He said.
Earlier in his address, the Oyo State Commissioner of police Olushina Olukolu said that ” the Command watches over about eight million people being the approximately population of the state. The state has thirty three local government areas with thirty five LCDAs which are divided into ten police area command, with the state Headquarters at Eleyele Ibadan.
The Command CP is assisted with three deputy commissioner, fourteen Assistance Commissioner of Police, ten of whom are Area Commander. In addition the Command aside from the ten areas Command has sixty seven Police Divisional Headquarters in all but some police stations are however been upgraded for effective security coverage and supervision. The total strength of officers and men in the Command is just barely sufficient to minimally police the state.
He however stated the challenges faced by the police force in the state which includes inadequate manpower amongst others
“the command is currently facing serious manpower problem due to the relative peace in the State, people have continued to relocate to the State hence new building sites keeps developing daily. As a result, increase economic activities begets increase in crime which therefore require upgrading or establishments of new Police discussions to bring policing closer to the people.”
“Thus the existing manpower has been stretched further depleted either by redeployment to new divisions or constant interstate transfer without adequate replacements. Also deaths, retirement and regular special duties outside the State have its own effects.” He concluded