IGP Warns Against Indisipline and Unprofessional Conduct

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Wednesday, 30 September 2009 09:51

A WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE MR. OGBONNA O. ONOVO OON, NPM, mni, AT THE SENIOR OFFICERS CONFERENCE HOLDING AT THE IGP CONFERENCE HALL, FORCE HEADQUARTERS ABUJA
ON 29TH SEPTEMBER, 2009

PROTOCOL:
     It is my honour to welcome you all to yet another Senior Officers Conference here in Louis Edet House, Abuja. I heartily commend your timely response in spite of the short notice. This goes to demonstrate your commitment and dedication to duty, I appreciate your efforts.
2.   Today we are gathered here to examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing us as an Institution charged with the maintenance of law and order, and to chart a new cause. It is apparent that indiscipline, un-professionalism and widespread corruption have been the bane of the Nigeria Police over the years, a situation that has greatly hampered the quality of service delivery. Our image has been battered time and again, leading to a loss of confidence by members of the public. Our task this morning is to examine the above highlighted issues and to brainstorm with a view to bequeathing to our nation a Police Force it deserves. This is a daunting task, one I cannot undertake alone. I therefore rely on each and everyone of you, by your efforts and commitment towards repositioning the Nigeria Police for quality service delivery, thus restoring the lost confidence in members of the Public. I expect you to task your officers and men accordingly as I shall hold you responsible for their actions and inactions. Officers must awake to their duty of supervision and control at all levels and must demonstrate effective leadership to the junior ranks.
3.   I intend, among other things, to ensure that the ethics of our profession are upheld with particular emphasis on neatness, discipline, professionalism and punctuality. There will be zero tolerance for corrupt practices (at Police Stations and roadblocks), overzealousness, unjustified use of firearms and acts capable of further tarnishing the image of the Force. In this regards, Command CPs are to make these and particularly the provisions of sections 339 and 340 of Police Regulations, which deal with the standard of conduct of Police officers and attributes of Police officers respectively, a subject of lecture to all officers and men. Area Commanders and DPOs should equally be directed to extend same to their men.
4. May I seize this opportunity to emphasize on timeliness and comprehensive reporting of incidents at all Command levels to Force Headquarters to facilitate prompt and appropriate response. It has been observed that diligent and prompt appearances in court cases involving the Police are not being made, leading to garnishee orders and other costs to the Force. This attitude should henceforth be discontinued. CPs are to fully utilize their legal sections in this regard. Any negligence in this will henceforth be visited with severe disciplinary consequences on the part of the affected officers.
5.    It is equally sad to observe that Police Formations and Barracks nationwide are untidy. The CP Provost is to ensure that Police Formations and Barracks nationwide are kept clean by re-introducing weekly and monthly fatigue in Police Formations and Barracks. It has equally been noticed that most of our Barracks lack the necessary security, which make them prone to attack by hoodlums and/or religious activists. A clear example was in Maiduguri during the recent “Boko Haram” crisis. This has not only exposed our un-preparedness but also puts to question our ability to protect lives and property of the entire citizenry. CPs are to ensure adequate security arrangements are made in Police Barracks within their jurisdiction with immediate effect. Most disturbing is the fact that Police Barracks are being leased out on rent to civilians by some officers and men. I call on the DIG ‘C’ Department to constitute a task force charged with the responsibility of identifying those illegally accommodated in our Barracks, with a view of flushing them out.
6.   While sustaining our efforts at stemming the tide of kidnapping and armed robbery in the South-Eastern and South-South States, there is an urgent need for Command CPs in the affected Zones to synergize their efforts in terms of intelligence sharing and inter-state operations. It is hoped that this strategy will result in more success in the fight against the menace of Armed-robbery and kidnapping within the Zones.
7.   There is an urgent need to evaluate our preparedness towards the high incidence of crime often associated with “ember months”. This becomes necessary if we must stem the incidence of crime during the fast approaching Christmas/Great Sallah and New Year celebrations. It is equally important that the tempo of preparedness be sustained even after the yuletide season in view of the 2010 Gubernatorial Elections in Anambra State and the 2011 general elections. To ensure that this is strictly complied with, Command CPs are to forward their “Operation Order” for the ‘ember months’ to DIG ‘B’ Department outlining the various strategies to be adopted throughout the period.
8.   Finally, I would like to emphasize that these directives must not and should not in any way be flouted. Once again, I implore you to supervise your men and to ensure a high level of discipline, for this is the only way we can restore the lost confidence of our noble profession. It is worthy of note that I have resuscitated the IGP Monitoring Unit towards ensuring that corrupt practices by Policemen on roadblocks and other places are reduced to the barest minimum. We are once again being called upon to render quality service to our nation. It is my belief that this task of repositioning the Nigeria Police Force, with your support and cooperation, will be accomplished. I welcome you once again to yet another interesting session of our monthly conference and wish you all fruitful deliberation. Thank you and God bless.

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