If we must develop, Police must kill corruption before corruption overtakes Nigeria – President Buhari
“The only thing that can guarantee you the career you seek in the Police Force is integrity, professionalism, and resistance to all acts of criminality.”
A strong warning has gone to the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from the topmost officer to the lowest of the ranks to take the responsibility killing corruption and respect for fundamental rights of citizens seriously.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave this warning during the occasion of Convocation and Passing Out Parade of the First Regular Cadet Course One at The Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, on Wednesday December 20, 2018.
The President reiterated that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption, noting that corruption is the major reason why the Nigerian economy has not developed at the rate of other comparable countries.
He said if Nigeria must develop and reap the fruits of democratic dispensation all citizens including members of institutions must shun corruption at all levels.
Also in attendance with President Buhari at the occasion included the Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, Governors of Kano and Jigawa, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje and Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Interior Lt. General Abdulrahman Danbazau, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Alhaji Ibrahim Kpotun Idris and other officials at the top echelons of government.
President Buhari charged the new cadet police officers to, in line with zero tolerance for corruption of his government, therefore assume the responsibility of killing corruption before corruption overtakes Nigeria as they move on into the policing space.
He said the general emoluments of police were recently increased to enable carry out their duties with confidence and not be attractable to bribery and inducement of any kind towards doing what is wrong.
The President noted that in the course of their duties they will be faced with situation where people will want them to bend the rules for financial or material benefits, but warned strongly that, no matter what the promises are, they must not succumb to those pressures.
“Amongst the tasks which rest squarely on you is arresting and ensuring conviction of persons who are in conflict with the law, no matter how highly placed in society. The law should be no respecter of persons. You must, therefore, discharge your duties fearlessly as laid down by the law,” said President Buhari.
He continued, “Nigerians will be grateful to you if your efforts will add to the success stories of this Administration’s efforts to bring about a better society. There is a direct relationship between crime and development.
“You have been trained and conditioned to discharge your functions as Police Officers after your five years of training. Apart from the award of degrees in various specialisations, you undertook studies in Police duties, Legal studies, Liberal studies, Human Rights issues, Counter Terrorism, Kidnapping, Gender issues and other subjects to familiarise you with International Best Practices in Policing.
“Enormous resources have been expended by the Government on your training. Nigerians therefore expect you to go out there as good policemen and put in your best towards enhancing the efficiency of the Police in maintaining law and order.
“During the course of performing your duties, you will be confronted with a load of challenges much of it hostile. You may be faced with a situation where you are requested to bend the rules for either financial or material benefits.
“No matter what the promises are, you must not succumb to such pressures. Ensure that your actions are in line with extant rules and regulations and make sure you can defend your actions at all times. You may be victimised for standing by the truth but be consoled by the fact that truth is constant and will always prevail, no matter how long it may take.”
The Commander-in-Chief however made himself clear on what erring officers would face should they fall short of expectation of the law in the course of their duties, which will henceforth no longer mean only dismissal but arrest, investigation and prosecution.
“I must warn you that any of you who fails to heed lawful instructions will certainly be caught in the web of the law. Any Officer who violates the ethics, rules and regulations of the Force will be disciplined according to extant laws.
“For those who commit criminal offences like corrupt practices they will be arrested, investigated and if found liable, they will be dismissed and prosecuted.”
He however gave guideline for any police officer wishing to be guaranteed the career he sees.
“The only thing that can guarantee you the career you seek in the Police Force is integrity, professionalism, and resistance to all acts of criminality.”
Read the text of address of the President in full:
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, DURING THE CONVOCATION AND PASSING OUT PARADE OF THE FIRST REGULAR CADET COURSE AT THE POLICE ACADEMY, WUDIL, KANO, 20TH DECEMBER, 2018
PROTOCOLS:
I am delighted to be here today for the Convocation and passing out parade of 602 Cadet Officers, First Batch of regular Cadet Course 1 graduands from the Police Academy Kano after five years of rigorous training.
2. For the graduands this is an epoch-making event and I am happy to be the first serving President to witness the passing out parade of the first batch of Nigeria Police Academy Regular Cadet Officers.
3. Let me congratulate the graduands for successfully completing the five years training programme in this very fine Institution. You should consider yourselves privileged, not only for being able to complete the course but for being adjudged worthy in character, fitness and in learning to pass out as Cadet Assistant Superintendents in the Nigeria Police Force.
4. After your commissioning today, you will be charged with the duties and responsibilities of a Police Officer. It is now your duty to combat crime and ensure peace and security in the country.
5. The burdens on you are enormous and onerous. They require you to be courageous, brave and determined in the fight against all forms of crime in our Country.
6. Amongst the tasks which rest squarely on you is arresting and ensuring conviction of persons who are in conflict with the law, no matter how highly placed in society. The law should be no respecter of persons. You must, therefore, discharge your duties fearlessly as laid down by the law.
7. Nigerians will be grateful to you if your efforts will add to the success stories of this Administration’s efforts to bring about a better society. There is a direct relationship between crime and development.
8. You have been trained and conditioned to discharge your functions as Police Officers after your five years of training. Apart from the award of degrees in various specialisations, you undertook studies in Police duties, Legal studies, Liberal studies, Human Rights issues, Counter Terrorism, Kidnapping, Gender issues and other subjects to familiarise you with International Best Practices in Policing.
9. Enormous resources have been expended by the Government on your training. Nigerians therefore expect you to go out there as good policemen and put in your best towards enhancing the efficiency of the Police in maintaining law and order.
10. During the course of performing your duties, you will be confronted with a load of challenges much of it hostile. You may be faced with a situation where you are requested to bend the rules for either financial or material benefits.
11. No matter what the promises are, you must not succumb to such pressures. Ensure that your actions are in line with extant rules and regulations and make sure you can defend your actions at all times. You may be victimised for standing by the truth but be consoled by the fact that truth is constant and will always prevail, no matter how long it may take.
12. It is appropriate to warn you as Police Officers not to see yourselves as being above the Law. You must be above board and resist all temptations. Be contented with your salaries and allowances. The Government recently increased your general emoluments to make you more efficient and effective in the discharge of your duties. With this increase in your salaries, you have less reason to fall into temptations of financial or other inducements.
13. Let me again reiterate that, this administration has zero tolerance for corruption. Corruption is the major reason why the Nigerian economy has not developed at the rate of other comparable countries. If we must develop and reap the fruits of our democratic dispensation we must shun corruption at all levels. It is therefore your responsibilities and other anti-corruption agencies to kill corruption before Corruption overtakes Nigeria.
14. I must warn you that any of you who fails to heed lawful instructions will certainly be caught in the web of the law. Any Officer who violates the ethics, rules and regulations of the Force will be disciplined according to extant laws. For those who commit criminal offences like corrupt practices they will be arrested, investigated and if found liable, they will be dismissed and prosecuted. The only thing that can guarantee you the career you seek in the Police Force is integrity, professionalism, and resistance to all acts of criminality.
15. The Police in its efforts to fight crime must work in partnership with the Community. You cannot properly police the people without their consent.
16. The Police must desist from acts which tend to bring the community in conflict with them. Conduct such as illegal detentions, extra Judicial killings, torture, and violation of the fundamental rights of the people must be avoided at all times. We must abide by the constitutional code of conduct in policing our people.
17. Let me use this opportunity to commend the Nigeria Police Force for the successes it has recorded in the fight against various aspects of crime in the country. You have worked closely with the Military in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East. I am aware that you have just deployed over 2000 Police Officers including Special Forces to the North East to support the efforts of the Military.
18. The success recorded in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East cannot be related without mentioning the support you are giving to the Military. The group is no longer occupying any Nigerian Territory as it used to before the advent of this administration. The recent attacks by the Boko Haram group can be likened to attempts of defeated insurgents to re-organise its ragtag and scattered individuals. This, however, will not be possible as adequate strategic plans have been put in place in conjunction with our neighbouring Countries to completely wipe out the group.
19. The Campaigns for the 2019 general elections have commenced and that means heightened political activities in the country. It is the duty of the Police, supported by other security agencies to adequately secure the elections. You must do everything possible to make the election violence free to avoid ballot box snatching, multiple voting, vote buying on sites, attack on electoral officers and other acts which might negatively impact on the elections and their outcome.
20. The elections must be conducted in a violent free environment for it to be adjudged credible, free and fair in the eyes of both local and international observers.
21. Let me assure you that I will continue to do all that is possible to make the Nigeria Police efficient and responsive to the security needs of the Country. This Administration will also continue to do its best by providing the necessary assistance to make the Nigeria Police operations technology based. The Police Training Institutions will be equipped to ensure that officers are regularly trained to improve their capacity and make them more professional and innovative.
22. Once again, congratulations on the successful completion of your course. As you pass out today and move into the Policing space, I wish you the best in the various tasks ahead of you.
23. Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
