Democracy Day: IG orders AIGs, CPs to beef up security

Ahead of today's democracy day celebration,the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has directed Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs, and Commissioners of Police, CPs, in the country to ensure a secure, peaceful and hitch-free anniversary by carrying out effective and efficient deployment of police personnel.
He has further directed the AIG Border Patrol to ensure that the nation’s borders are effectively manned to prevent any cross-border crime. The AIG Air-Wing has also been directed to provide aerial patrol for the FCT and other States.
His words, “to ensure a secure, peaceful and hitch-free nation-wide anniversary, the IGP has directed AIGs and Commissioners of Police to ensure an effective and efficient deployment of operational manpower and tools at the disposal of their respective commands”.
A statement by CSP Frank Mba, Force Spokesman said, “the IG while saluting the courage and gallantry of officers and men of the Force in protecting the nation’s thriving democracy, charged police personnel to continue to subordinate themselves to civil authority and give maximum respect to the fundamental rights of the citizenry.
“He advises officers to remain politically neutral and steer clear of partisan politics in line with the professional ethics of the Force. He warns that officers found meddling in local politics within or outside their areas of jurisdiction will be appropriately sanctioned.
“The IG equally pledges the unalloyed loyalty of the Nigeria Police Force to the Government and people of Nigeria,” promising that the “Force will continue to do everything within its power and available resources, including partnering with relevant stakeholders, to effectively discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities of securing lives and property of Nigerians, even in the face of current security challenges and the huge price involved.
“He restates the commitment of the current Police Administration to reposition the Force for greater efficiency, and calls for the cooperation of citizens”.
Meanwhile, Police Affairs Minister, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) charged Nigerians to see the success of democracy in the last 14 years as proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel, especially as it concerns the security situation in the country.
Olubolade said “The nation has passed through a very dark tunnel in the past few years as a result of the activities of undesirable elements bent on destroying the laudable dreams of the nation’s founders, by unleashing terrorist and other violent activities on a-once-peaceful and united nation”.
He however implored Nigerians to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel as exemplified in the improved and continually improving security situation brought about by the joint efforts of the security services and the cooperation of well-meaning citizens.
He assured the nation of the preparedness of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to continue to discharge their duties to the nation in spite of recent drawbacks, especially recent loss of some officers while on active service which he describes as a price the Force has continued to pay over time in protecting lives and property.