- Suleiman Abba, the new Inspector-General of Police yesterday assumed office with a solemn promise that he will do whatever is necessary to bring excessive violent crimes in the country to a halt.
Abba, who spoke in Abuja on Friday during his maiden address to men and officers of the Force shortly after his predecessor, Mohammed Abubakar, handed over to him, noted that the missing link in the reform policies was the failure to change the attitude of the average police officer.
“Of all the reforms embarked upon by the past governments, it is only that of the Yar’Adua/Goodluck administration that is working. We have seen the seven city programmes with the necessary equipment; we have seen tens of helicopters and other facilities in place.
“It is not the fault of those implementing or those that sat down and wrote the reform programmes, it is because one thing is missing, attitudinal change; the absence of attitudinal change in the Force is why the various reforms are not effective.
“The recent upsurge in security challenges will have my full attention. I am committed to addressing these issues and reaffirm the high standards of performance for which the Nigeria Police is nationally and internationally acclaimed.
“In consonance with the President’s Transformation Agenda, I will develop and implement constructive policing strategies for the maintenance of a stable democracy and economic growth.”
“My vision is to make the Nigeria Police Force a leading national, professional, and efficient law enforcement organisation. A police force that is dynamic, robust and efficient; one that never rests or abdicates its professional duty; that studies and analyses what works and what doesn’t, acknowledges and learns from its mistakes, and celebrates its victories.
“This is, indeed, our opportunity to redefine and rededicate our focus on our highest mission, which is to assuredly avail unfailing public safety service to the citizens of Nigeria. All aspects of our service will be centred on the values of hard work,” he stated.
