The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has warned men of the Nigeria Police Force to be apolitical as the 2023 general elections approach.
IGP Alkali gave this warning in Umuahia, Abia State after inaugurating several projects in the state including the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ngwa East Divisional Headquarters, Obingwa, Ubakala Divisional Headquarters, Obingwa LGA Police Nursery School and Special Protection Unit, Zone 9 . Residence, Umuahia.
Addressing his men, IGP Baba warned, “You must be apolitical, responsible and steadfast. You don’t include former loyalties and other feelings in your police network, ability and competence.
“It is the period that ends on the day of the election and we continue from the day of the election after the election.
“Be a good ambassador of peace. The service is ready to cooperate with you. Members of the public will also support you when you do well.
“The government is appreciating what you are doing and you have to live in a big way. Every effort will be made to improve your life at election time. Your allowances will be paid.”
On the 2023 elections, the IGP said, “We have a duty to maintain security before, during and after the elections.
“We are in a critical period of political campaigns, rallies and advocacy.”
He said the face of policing was changing, adding: “We’re trying to police our people the best way we know how.
“We are well on our way. We should redouble our efforts and do more by serving the people. We will continue to demand, beg and improve our well-being”.
He announced that the federal government was working on the salary arrears owed to the police, “The government knows that it really owes us and we will settle our debt through the grace of God.”
He added: “Before the 2023 elections, we hope to graduate another 10,000 police officers from our Police Colleges.
“These policemen will go back to their home states as well as their LGAs.”
Earlier, Assistant Inspector General Isaac Olutayo Akinmoyede, AIG 9, said the SPU was built through the resilience of the Commander, Igwe Gabriel Amaechi.
Speaking at the event, Ikpeazu, who earlier handed over other projects to the IGP, assured that he will continue to provide logistics to the security agencies so that they can carry out their duties effectively.
