Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, says some 50,000 officers? are to be trained on ethics, conduct and mannerism in an? effort to improve? the capacity of the workforce.
Abubakar made the statement in Awka on Friday during a courtesy call on Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra.
He said he was on a working visit to the Police Command in the state to assess its operational needs and to re-evaluate the security in the area.
Abubakar said that his administration was working toward restoring professionalism in the police by emphasising discipline, competence, training and motivation.
“My administration is ready to build a friendly police force that will protect Nigerians, provide security for every citizen, build a well trained and well kitted force that is able to discharge its duties.
“We will build a force that would not harass citizens of Nigeria, and with the assistance of every Nigerian, the Nigeria Police Force would realise Mr President’s assurance of providing better security for people and government of Nigeria,” he said.
Abubakarsaid that the training would be in batches, with the first batch of about 20, 000 while 16, 000 other officers would be trained on intelligence gathering.
He commended the state governor for being the first to provide an opportunity for a stakeholders’ forum with members of the society.
He said?? that his men were committed to tackling the problems of kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.
Responding, the governor thanked Abubakar for the visit and added that his administration would ensure the security of lives and property.
Obi, said that was why he had donated more than 200 new patrol vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), communication equipment, among others to the police as part of moves to ensure security in the state.
He, however, appealed to the IG to create another command in the state considering the huge population. .
“Population wise, Okpoko (near Onitsha) alone should have its own command,’’ Obi said.
He described the state as one of the safest in the country and linked the challenges of armed robbery to the volume of cash in the area, being predominantly a commercial city.
?Later, the IG addressed?? a stakeholders’ meeting attended by traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions, among others.
He told the gathering that “road blocks are gone forever.”
According to him, Nigeria is the only country where police block roads and consequently block easy passage for motorists.
“Through the ban of road blocks, the police have curbed at least 70 per cent of corruption among its rank and file,” he said.
He also promised to tackle the issue of extortion from detainees by some officers before bail could be granted.
Abubakar said?? there was nowhere in the constitution where money was prescribed for bail.
He stressed that it was an abuse for police convoys to blow siren without any need, saying that the state was one place with excesses in the use of siren.?
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