The Federal Government says it has recruited 40,000 police officers in the last four years to tackle the increasing rate of insecurity in the country.
President Mohammadu Buhari through the Minister of Police Affairs, Dr Maigari Dingyadi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at a retreat for senior police officers with the theme, ‘New Police Vision – A Road Map for stabilising Internal Security’.
The President informed that in an attempt to boost the morale of personnel and ensure effective service delivery, he had carried out an upward review of salaries and allowances of rank and file as well as constituted a task force on police needs evaluation which is headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
The President, however, thanked the Nigerian Governors Forum for their support to the Police especially, the Akwa Ibom State government for hosting the conference’
He expressed the belief that the conference would engender a new policing focus and project a new united front against elements threatening the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba in his welcome remarks said the retreat would align the officers with the current and evolving policing and internal security realities.
The IGP said the police would continue to explore all available strategies in guaranteeing the security and safety of Nigeria according to the police mandate.
Chairman of the governor’s forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi in his remarks called for multi-level policing to ensure efficiency in securing lives and property.
Also, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel urged the participants to evolve more proactive ways of addressing the security challenges in the country, especially as the nation prepares for general elections next year.
Governor Emmanuel also urged the participants to look into reasons why more young people in the country are involved in criminality than before, so as to firmly address the menace and save Nigeria’s future leaders.
