By Olanrewaju Akilu
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced that promotions within the Police Force will now be determined by merit.
This announcement was made known during his address to officers and personnel of the Kano State Police Command on Friday.
The IGP also confirmed that no special promotions will be tolerated in the Force.
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Egbetokun appealed to personnel to reject extortion and other forms of corruption, as he stated that maintaining a positive public image is highly important in the ongoing battle against criminal activities in Nigeria.
“I used to tell my officers to stop extortion, the police job is a very good job, is the best job in the world. Is a job that when you do it very well, you get prayers from people.
“It is also a job that you will do and get the opposite of prayers. So it is you the policeman that will determine what you want.
“If you want prayers, you will get enough prayers in this job. And if you want the opposite of prayers you are going to get it too. So, be mindful of that fact,” he said.
“Some of you will have sent away angels that God have sent to you to bless you with your wickedness.
“The moment you are engaging in corruption you are telling God that don’t worry about me I can bless myself, and God will not bother about you.
“But if you address your job with the fear of God, God will single you out for blessing.
“If you want your personal blessing then you must will it for yourself. So, if you want your personal blessing which you wish for yourself or the one from God.
“I will rather choose the blessing that will come from God,” the IG-P said.
Egbetokun further announced plans to revamp the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to ensure that only qualified and competent officers are appointed to all roles within the department and state commands.
“Henceforth, only officers who can inspire public confidence will be given sensitive duty posts, such as Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders and DPOs. If you cannot inspire public confidence you will not merit such positions.
“We want competence, we want honesty, we want integrity. That is the only way we can inspire public confidence.
“We want the support of members of the public. We cannot be calling for support when we also are not showing transparency; we’re not showing competence and we are not showing capability.
“We must show capacity. We must show integrity. We must show the members of the public that we can be trusted. We are the lead agency in internal security. We have to demonstrate this.
“We must show commitment to professionalism. We must improve our relationship with members of the public. We must stop corruption and extortion in our system. It doesn’t pay us.
“Those who have been engaging in extortion, I want to ask you, how has extortion improved your quality of life?” the IG-P said.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hussaini Gumel, had earlier reported the arrest of over 150 criminals across various parts of the state.
He also announced the development of a comprehensive security network to ensure the arrest and prosecution of criminal elements within the state.
