Change your mindsets, support us for community safety, national security, new IGP appeals to Nigerians

*Promises policing that treats citizens with civility, holds human rights sacred

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

“I am mindful of the yearnings of Nigerians for a policing system that will not only assure them of their safety, but treat them with civility and hold their human rights sacred. I promise to provide the highest possible level of professional and responsive leadership to meet this deserved aspiration. However, I call on the citizens to change their mind sets and be prepared to work with us in the interest of community safety and national security.”

The new Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, in Nigeria, Alhaji Usman Alkali Baba, has sent a word of appeal to Nigerians to change their attitude for good in order for him to achieve better policing in the general interest of the nation.

IGP Alkali Baba, who spoke during the ceremony where former IGP Mohammed Adamu handed over the reigns of power to him in the Loui’s Edet House, Abuja on Wednesday April 7, 2021, said in his prepared speech obtained by The DEFENDER that he was mindful of the yearnings of citizens for a policing system that will not only assure them of their safety, but treat them with civility and hold their human rights sacred.

He promised to provide the highest possible level of professional and responsive leadership to meet the deserved aspiration of his new leadership while calling on the citizens to be prepared to work with him in the interest of community safety and national security.

Adamu handed over to Baba after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, decorated him with his new rank at a brief ceremony in the State House, Abuja.

“Being appointed to head the largest Police Force in Africa both in terms of personnel profile and operational jurisdiction is to me, more than a fulfilment of destiny. It is a call to national duty, particularly, at this critical time that our nation is experiencing increasingly complex and pervasive security threats occasioned by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, secessionist agitation and sundry highly organized crimes.

“Much as the challenge of leading the Force to address these threats in the shortest possible time frame, restore security order, and return our beloved nation to the path of national unity may appear daunting, I am inspired by the fact that from my extensive years of service, I can confidently say that the Nigeria Police is endowed with some of the finest, courageous and patriotic officers who, undoubtedly, shall support me to advance the internal security vision of Mr. President.

“I am also encouraged by the fact that the outgoing Inspector General of Police has laid a solid foundation and entrenched a culture of professional efficiency in the Force. These will stimulate me in my capacity as the new Acting Inspector General of Police, to strengthen our strategies and provide the requisite leadership that will change the narratives in relation to our operational approach to the current security threats.

“As IGP Adamu exits the Force, I call on you all to join me in celebrating one of the greatest policing icons of our time and to put on record our immense appreciation of his laudable contributions to the Nigeria Police Force.

“The task of restoring the primacy of the Nigeria Police in the internal security architecture of the country is the main challenge ahead of us. It is, however, a task that I am convinced we can surmount if we resolve as a people to partner and present a common front against the subversive and criminal elements who are the common enemies of our nation.

“I am mindful of the yearnings of Nigerians for a policing system that will not only assure them of their safety, but treat them with civility and hold their human rights sacred. I promise to provide the highest possible level of professional and responsive leadership to meet this deserved aspiration. However, I call on the citizens to change their mind sets and be prepared to work with us in the interest of community safety and national security.

“I wish to immensely thank His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for considering me worthy of this appointment. I am fully conscious of the task ahead and His Excellency’s expectations. By the Grace of Almighty Allah (SWT), I shall not let the nation down.

“To the Police officers, I call on you to continue to support me with prayers so that this journey we are commencing together today shall lead us to the desired destination.

“I Thank you all for your attendance and pray that Allah’s supreme blessing abide with us as we recommit ourselves to the service of our beloved country,” the new Police boss said.

Read the full text of the Acting IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), fdc, NPM:

REMARKS BY Ag. IGP USMAN ALKALI BABA, psc (+), fdc, NPM, THE ACTING INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE, DURING THE HANDING OVER CEREMONY HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 7TH APRIL, 2021 AT THE FORCE HEADQUARTERS ABUJA

Protocols

It is with total appreciation of Almighty Allah (SWT), the Most Beneficent, that I address you all on this day which marks the formal transfer of leadership of the Nigeria Police Force from the out-going 20th indigenous Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni to my humble self.

2. Being appointed to head the largest Police Force in Africa both in terms of personnel profile and operational jurisdiction is to me, more than a fulfilment of destiny. It is a call to national duty, particularly, at this critical time that our nation is experiencing increasingly complex and pervasive security threats occasioned by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, secessionist agitation and sundry highly organized crimes.

3. Much as the challenge of leading the Force to address these threats in the shortest possible time frame, restore security order, and return our beloved nation to the path of national unity may appear daunting, I am inspired by the fact that from my extensive years of service, I can confidently say that the Nigeria Police is endowed with some of the finest, courageous and patriotic officers who, undoubtedly, shall support me to advance the internal security vision of Mr. President.

4. I am also encouraged by the fact that the outgoing Inspector General of Police has laid a solid foundation and entrenched a culture of professional efficiency in the Force. These will stimulate me in my capacity as the new Acting Inspector General of Police, to strengthen our strategies and provide the requisite leadership that will change the narratives in relation to our operational approach to the current security threats.

5. As IGP Adamu exits the Force, I call on you all to join me in celebrating one of the greatest policing icons of our time and to put on record our immense appreciation of his laudable contributions to the Nigeria Police Force.

6. The task of restoring the primacy of the Nigeria Police in the internal security architecture of the country is the main challenge ahead of us. It is, however, a task that I am convinced we can surmount if we resolve as a people to partner and present a common front against the subversive and criminal elements who are the common enemies of our nation.

7. I am mindful of the yearnings of Nigerians for a policing system that will not only assure them of their safety, but treat them with civility and hold their human rights sacred. I promise to provide the highest possible level of professional and responsive leadership to meet this deserved aspiration. However, I call on the citizens to change their mind sets and be prepared to work with us in the interest of community safety and national security.

8. I wish to immensely thank His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for considering me worthy of this appointment. I am fully conscious of the task ahead and His Excellency’s expectations. By the Grace of Almighty Allah (SWT), I shall not let the nation down.

9. To the Police officers, I call on you to continue to support me with prayers so that this journey we are commencing together today shall lead us to the desired destination.

10. I Thank you all for your attendance and pray that Allah’s supreme blessing abide with us as we recommit ourselves to the service of our beloved country.