Top echelon of the Nigeria Police force would be taking stocks at a retreat for senior officers in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Addressing newsmen in a joint press briefing, spokesman of the police, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi and the consultant promoting the event, Mr. Shina Philip, who is the CEO of Matchmakers Consult International, noted that the Owerri retreat was being put in place to device strategies for the smooth conduct of the polls and would be attended by the Senior Police Officers from the ranks of Commissioners of Police, the Presidential candidates of all the registered political parties and personnel from other sister security forces.
According to Adejobi, “You will recall that on June 29, 2022, I addressed you on the approval of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba for the organization of the third edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers by Matchmakers Consult International in partnership with the Imo State Government.
“This edition, with the theme ‘The Imperative of a Nigeria Police Strategic Plan for Peaceful Elections’, is part of the IGP’s continuing effort to adequately prepare officers and men of the Force to play a more effective and efficient role in the management of security during the General Elections in 2023.
“The Inspector-General of Police, upon assumption of office as the 21st Indigenous IGP, set out to bequeath the nation with a policing system that is citizen-centred, technology-based, and whose officers’ protect with courage and serve with compassion.
“This has led to vital collaborations, riding on the Federal Government’s Police Reform Agenda through the Presidential Police Reform and Transformation Office (PORTO), with various Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society groups to ensure that the goal is achieved, and swiftly, which has birthed several reform processes, some which have reached final stages, some still at intermediate stages, and others which are long-termed, are gradually taking baby steps.
“As a democratic nation, the security of lives and property is a fundamental duty of government and the Nigeria Police Force, as the lead agency in internal security, is unrelenting in ensuring that the people experience a friendly policing system that will perpetually be a threat to villains and other purveyors of crimes and criminality within our communities.
“The IGP, understanding the risk associated with organized crime syndicates running amok, flagged off a special operational action plan code-named “OPERATION RESTORE PEACE” for the stabilization of security order in the South-East Geopolitical Zone of the country.
“The special operation which was launched on May 18, 2021 at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu was instrumental in managing the delicate security situation in the South-East. The IGP also launched Operation Sahara Storm in Sokoto to combat the trend of banditry within the Northern part of the country. Other operations have also been launched on the basis of necessity over time.
“Similarly, it is a fundamental principle of democracy for the people to express their rights to elect representatives in governance in an environment devoid of malpractices, oppression, and insecurity. In line with the commitment of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections, and transfer of power in 2023, the Nigeria Police Force has outlined a schedule of programmes including training of officers across all board to enhance the capacity of its officers and men to respond to threats to the forthcoming 2023 general elections and adequately manage national security.
“The quest to secure the electorates and the electioneering process for a free, fair and credible elections have been a mandate of IGP Usman Alkali Baba’s administration since inception in office up until this moment, and even beyond. This is why the Force under his leadership, has embarked on deliberate measures and policy drives to ensure that election security management is given priority of place with necessary and continuous trainings and capacity development to ensure the conduct of credible elections in the country.
“This has paid off considering the successful conduct of the off-season elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states in spite of negative indicators and opinion of most pundits that the elections, particularly that of Anambra, would be characterized by violence. They turned out to be amongst the most peaceful elections ever conducted in the country.
“As we inch closer to the 2023 General Elections, the IGP has again organized the 3rd Edition of the Strategic Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers with the theme ‘The Imperative of a Nigeria Police Strategic Plan for Peaceful Elections’ will hold from Monday, October 31, to Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at The Landmark Event Centre, Plot H/1 Nekede Pocket Layout beside Protea Hotel by Marriott, Owerri, Imo State. The NPF is partnering with the government and people of Imo State under the amiable leadership of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Executive Governor of Imo State, considering his well-known and unrivalled inspiring disposition towards national security and the indissolubility of Nigeria as an entity.
“The participants expected to attend this high-level training include the Inspector-General of Police, and other senior officers of the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Commissioner of Police (CP), and heads of strategic formations of the Force.
“The opening ceremony of the event will be on Monday, October 31, 2022 at the Landmark Event Centre in Owerri. President Muhammadu Buhari, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces will deliver the keynote address. Among dignitaries scheduled to attend the opening ceremony are His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Executive Governor of Imo State, the Minister of Police Affairs and other cabinet members, Senators and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Secretary to the Federal Government, Service Chiefs and heads of security agencies, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chairmen and Presidential Candidates of all political parties, media executives and members of the civil society.
“The Inspector General of Police hereby appreciates Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Governor of Imo State and the good people of the state for playing host to this very important and remarkable event. The IGP and the entire Police Force are working closely with Matchmakers Consult International, the consultants of the event, for a successful hosting of all participants.
“ It is greatly believed that the conference and retreat will strengthen the resolve of the strategic police managers and members of other security agencies who shall be involved in the 2023 electioneering process to put their best foot forward to accomplish free, fair, credible and secure 2023 general elections that we may all leave a legacy on which basis posterity would adjudge us kindly.
“Members of the press, as the country prepares for the forthcoming elections, we urge you all to operate in consonance with the Force to ensure free, fair, credible, and, even, acceptable elections in 2023.”