Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun has emphasized the importance of a comprehensive national security review to combat rising vandalism and oil theft.
Highlighting the urgency of these issues, Egbetokun called for enhanced strategies and coordinated efforts among security agencies to protect public assets and ensure national stability.
In his address at an emergency conference with Strategic Managers of the Force held in Abuja on Tuesday, Inspector-General of Police underscored the critical internal security issues facing Nigeria.
During his speech, IGP Egbetokun acknowledged the ongoing threats of terrorism, banditry, oil theft, armed robbery, and kidnapping, emphasizing the grave concern posed by the spate of vandalism and theft of public assets. He announced that the conference would also deliberate on the Nigeria Police Green Initiative (NPGI), set to launch later this week.
Egbetokun highlighted the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to overcoming complex and multi-faceted security challenges, noting that recent strategies have yielded significant results.
He reported a steady decline in crime rates over the past few months, with a drop in major crimes from 734 in May and 530 in June to 416 in the past month. Additionally, 1,284 suspects were arrested nationwide, 284 firearms and 6,702 rounds of ammunition were recovered, 107 vehicles were seized, and 97 kidnapping victims were rescued.
“Efforts to curb oil theft have also seen success, with the reorganization of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) resulting in 13 incidents of intercepted stolen crude and arrests. Most of these cases are already in court”, he said.
Egbetokun also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the welfare of police officers, with plans for affordable housing, enhanced insurance, and support for families of deceased officers.
Addressing the pervasive issue of vandalism, Egbetokun called for enhanced protection of public infrastructure, including manhole covers, rail lines, and public lights.
He directed officers to mobilize resources effectively and collaborate with other security agencies to address this scourge.
The Nigeria Police Green Initiative (NPGI), set to launch on July 25, 2024, aims to adopt environmentally friendly practices, technologies, and policies within the force.
This initiative, discussed at COP28 in Dubai last year, is expected to improve operational efficiency and contribute to the livelihood of Nigerian residents.
Egbetokun also warned against planned violent protests, drawing parallels to the destructive #EndSars protests.
“While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest, he emphasized the need to prevent such events from escalating into violence or disorder”, he stated.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his support and commended the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force personnel. He highlighted the positive rating by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), marking the force as the most improved agency in anti-corruption in Nigeria, and urged continued commitment to integrity and public trust.
Egbetokun further called for increased commitment to duty and collaboration to build a safer Nigeria, appealing to media practitioners to avoid inflaming the situation with their reportage. He urged all Nigerians to work together to overcome the nation’s security challenges.