Police officers to face sanctions over attacks on stations – IG

Abubakar said this in an address at the graduation of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) Promotion Course in Jos. He warned that the leadership of the Force would no longer tolerate officers running away from criminals. “Of a particular worry is the increasing number of attacks on police stations. […]

Abubakar said this in an address at the graduation of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) Promotion Course in Jos.

He warned that the leadership of the Force would no longer tolerate officers running away from criminals.

“Of a particular worry is the increasing number of attacks on police stations. Similarly, it is a cause for concern the increasing number of police officers killed in the line of duty.

“You can’t afford to run away when there’s trouble. Post sufficient men around your stations and when there’s problem, face it squarely, you don’t run away. Then, the enemy will think twice before attacking you.

“The Force will no longer tolerate this development. You are hereby charged to effectively marshal your resources to bring crime down to tolerable level and muster your men to provide adequate security for police stations and barracks.

“As effective managers, you are to immediately embark on musketry training and retraining for the ranks. This is in addition to other confidence building measures such as riot drill.”

Abubakar, who was represented by the DIG “E” Department, Abdulrahman Akano, said that his goal was to make officers and men of the Force “more competent, more confident and more efficient” in the art of modern policing.

According to him, the attendance of the ACPs to DCPs course is in line with the police reform programme which tied promotion from constable to DCP to the successful completion of certain courses.

He expressed regret that the exploitation of the dividends of democracy had made many Nigerians to overstretch their “new found rights” to the point of constituting threats to national security.

“We are witnesses to series of agitations by militant groups, religious bigots and ethnic nationalities; added to these is a phenomenal rise in violent crimes, kidnappings and bombings.”

The Police chief pointed out that the climate, direction and methods of policing were rapidly changing, and challenged officers and men to change with the new trends by being mentally and professionally prepared to effectively police the nation.