Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday reminded the
acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, that he is assuming office at a
turbulent time, hence the need for him to hit the ground running.
Osinbajo spoke shortly after he decorated Baba with his new
rank at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said, “You are assuming office at a very turbulent time
in the life of our people. There are multiple threats to law, order and public
safety.
“The role of law enforcement agencies, particularly that of
the police force as primary agency charged with maintaining law and order, has
never been more important.
“The police force is our institution of first resort, the
first line of defence against crime and anarchy and the first sign of the
strength of the state.”
Osinbajo told the new IGP that the challenges before him
would test his mettle, adding that the organisation he is leading is in itself
facing several challenges.
He noted that policemen still work in extremely difficult
condition while some face the threat of physical harm by terrorists and hostile
non-state actors while in the line of duty.
In a brief interview with State House correspondents, Baba
admitted that he came on board at a challenging time.
He however promised to improve on the performance of his
predecessor.
He said while the police management team led by Adamu tried
its best, there was still a need for improvement.
The acting IGP said, “Nigerians will see improvement on
where my predecessor has left. I came in at a very challenging time. I know it.
I recognise it and I will work on how to improve from where my predecessor has
left.
“I have been a member of the management team. We have tried
to do our best, but it’s not enough. There is room for improvement.”
Baba promised to rejig the police force’s operational
strategies.
On equipment and manpower, he said the force has the
President’s support and he expressed the hope of getting more of what has been
requested through the Police Trust Fund quickly.
He added, “Nigerians should expect improvement in the
security situation.
“Nigerians should also collaborate and cooperate with us.
With all the inadequacies we have, we still require everybody to be part of
policing in this country.
“That is why the emphasis on community policing will
continue and the emphasis on collaboration with all other sister agencies will
continue and we hope to have a better situation very soon.”
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