The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has charged Commissioners of Police and other officers in strategic positions to strengthen their leadership capacity to contain crimes within their commands.
Baba spoke on Monday in Abuja during a meeting with commissioners of police and other top brass officers.
The IGP said that the meeting was to evaluate the activities of the police in 2021 and identify gaps that militated against service delivery to the citizens.
The meeting was also to chart ways to bridge the gaps and enhance operational capacity of personnel in 2022.
Baba noted that 2021 was a challenging year to the Nigeria Police judging from the activities of bandits, secessionists, kidnappers and other organised criminal elements.
According to him, the challenges were compounded by the #EndSARS violence of 2020 which weakened the morale and operational base of the police, following the massive destruction of their operational assets.
He said, “Despite this reality within the internal security space, I am delighted to note that all of you, as strategic police commanders, remained resilient, and demonstrated commendable level of courage, initiative, sound operational capacity and loyalty.
“This is the spirit that we set out to advance in the policing agenda, upon my assumption of duty as the IG, and I am delighted that you have keyed into this new policing mission.
“While appreciating all members of the force for the modest successes within the outgoing year, it is imperative to note that the coming year could even be more challenging. This is because it is a year preceding the general elections in the country.
“It is anticipated that the political landscape will be charged in a manner that will further test our professional will and operational competence.
“What this translates to is that we will not only be dealing with traditional crimes, our capacity as the lead agency in internal security management will, no doubt, be stretched to cover the management of threats that will be associated with an active political space in 2022.
“My charge to you as we project into 2022 is to prepare to strengthen your leadership capacity in dealing with crimes customarily associated with the end of the year.”
(NAN).
