By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to leave behind a policing system advocated by citizens, saying Abuja has demonstrated commitment towards changing the principle and strategy of policing.
His pledge on Tuesday coincided with a call on the same day by Senate President Ahmed Lawan that Buhari, 78, should hand over power in 2023 to a youth, a suggestion that rules out former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, 69.
Lawan insisted that a youth should be the preferred choice of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “sustain the momentous legacy” of Buhari.
Police reform
Buhari spoke at the passing out parade of 418 officers of the 3rd Regular Cadet Course at the Nigeria Police Academy (NPA), Wudil-Kano, where he explained his directive to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on the upward review of police emoluments.
His speech, delivered by Police Affairs Minister, Maigari Dingyadi, clarified that a policing system led by citizens led to the approval of Community Policing as Internal Security Strategy as well as approval of funds for its implementation.
He said review of salary and allowances for the police will be commensurate with their vital functions as the lead agency in internal security assets.
Buhari noted that police reform, embarked upon by his administration, focuses on improving welfare, recruitment of 10,000 junior officers annually, and upgrading police training institutions, among others.
His words: ”In addition, a Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Bill is currently receiving legislative attention at the National Assembly [NASS].
“On passage, the Bill will give full legal backing to the existence and academic programmes of the Nigeria Police Academy and fully legitimise its status as a Police University.
”Furthermore, as part of our Police reform initiatives, the Police Public Complaint Committee, which is domiciled in the Ministry of Police Affairs, has been resuscitated with the mandate to receive complaints from the general public on cases of abuse and maltreatment by Police Officers. The PPCC has a membership made up of officials from relevant MDAs and Security agencies.
”A Public Private Partnership arrangement undertaken by the Ministry of Police Affairs to rejuvenate the National Public Security Communication System Network has been approved by the Federal Executive Council.
”This is with a view to ensuring that when fully reactivated the Police and other Security Agencies will be able to fully utilise this vital facility.
Administrative support
He recalled that his administration re-established the Ministry of Police Affairs out of the former Ministry of Interior in 2019 “to drive the Police Reform process by initiating, formulating, and implementing policies and programmes relating to Policing and Internal Security.
”This initiative was also intended to provide supervision and Administrative support to the Force, particularly, in the area of training and capacity development as well as the enhancement of the budgetary profile of the Nigeria Police.
”In order to address the funding challenges of the Force, I also assented to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill on 24th June, 2019 and followed up with the inauguration of the Board of Trustees to ensure immediate take off of the Fund.
”I am being constantly briefed by the … Minister of Police Affairs on the activities of the Trust Fund and I am delighted to note that already, critical operational items including purpose-built operational vehicles and other policing assets are currently being delivered through the intervention of the Trust Fund.
”I am confident that with the sustained intervention of the Trust Fund, the operational efficiency and human capacity development goals of the Nigeria Police will be attained on a sustainable basis and by extension, our internal security order will be enhanced in due course.”
Police Act 2020
Buhari recounted how on September 15, 2020 he assented to the Nigeria Police Bill which had been in the works for six years.
”The Act replaces the repealed Nigeria Police Act that had been in existence for over 77 years, and which had become an archaic legal instrument and a fundamental clog in the wheels of modern policing.
”The new Nigeria Police Act contains fundamental provisions which are positively altering the policing narrative in Nigeria as it has given legal backing to the principle of community policing and addressed vital issues that have historically been inhibiting seamless police administration.
”With the Nigeria Police Act 2020, the nation has been given a unique legal instrument that will modernise police operations and position the Nigeria Police towards the attainment of its 21st Century Policing Mandate.”
Buhari to the young officers that the task of advancing major police responsibilities will in due course fall on their shoulders.
”The federal government and the citizens of this nation demand of you the assurances that in this task of national service, you shall not let yourselves, families, the Nigeria Police Force and the nation down.”
Public expectation of the police
He urged the newly commissioned 418 Cadet Officers, now Assistant Superintendents of Police, that their conduct in the field will be constantly scrutinised and they would be held personally accountable for their actions.
”You should remain good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police and demonstrate respect to civil society in discharging your duties, while also maintaining zero tolerance for corruption.
”To the Commandant and other staff of the Academy, I commend you for your dedication to duty which has ensured the proper indoctrination of these young officers as well as occasioned today’s successful Passing Out Parade.
”I assure you of the continuous support of this administration for the Academy towards attaining the object of its establishment.
”In this regard, the Minister of Police Affairs is directed to liaise with the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant of the Academy in identifying critical challenges of the Police Academy and submit a comprehensive proposal that will aid the Federal Government in addressing them.”
Buhari described the passing-out-parade as further testimony to his administration’s commitment towards bridging the manpower gap inhibiting optimal performance of the police.
”It is also in furtherance to the Federal Government’s policy of evolving new young officers who will stimulate change in policing in Nigeria and act as the face of the new police that we envision and desire in this country,” he said.
NPA Commandant Lawal Jimeta, said the passing out ceremony was the third edition since the Academy was upgraded to a university and no fewer than 1,000 well trained officers have graduated from the institution.
He thanked Buhari for supporting the Academy, recalling that within two years, 15 of its degree programmes have been accredited by the National University Commission (NUC).
”We have also taken possession of five iconic projects executed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, including a modern postgraduate hostel, an auditorium, a forensic laboratory, an indoor shooting range and a fully equipped state-of-the-art ICT complex,” Jimeta disclosed.