By Abubakar Abdullahi
Policemen have been urged to imbibe the tenets of professionalism and discipline in the discharge of their mandates of protecting lives and property.
The new Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 12 Headquarters Bauchi, AIG Abiodun Sylvester Alabi gave the charge when he paid a familiarization visit to the officers and men of the Gombe State Police Command in Gombe, Gombe state.
Alabi, who superintends Bauchi and Gombe Command in North-Easth Nigeria, said that professionalism is essential to duty to avoid reprimand, stating that “You must be very professional. You must behave like a policeman at any given time.
“In whatever duty or responsibility you are given; be it arrest, being on the beat and in the public, you must show people that you are a professional policeman. That is what we need. Professionalism should be your key word,” he charged.
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The AIG frowned at the unprofessional processes adopted by some policemen during investigations, noting “I have observed that there are certain things done during investigations, which I do not like. So, we must change, we must do better investigations to avoid problems.”
Alabi also highlighted discipline as one of the virtues, the officers and men should imbibe, noting that self-discipline is needed for a better workforce rendering prompt services to citizens.
According to him, If you have self-discipline, all other values would be easy to attain. Self-discipline is what keeps the job going. If you are indiscipline, you will do your duty with passion. You must take discipline as your cardinal principle, which should be imbibed.” He maintained
On the issues of Human Rights Violations, the AIG Zone 12 emphasized the need for personnel to uphold the fundamental rights of citizens in accordance with the constitution.
Alabi stated, that “We cannot pretend. The issues of human rights have come to stay and there is nothing we can do. We prayed for a democracy and we are in a democracy. There is no democracy without human rights. Any policeman, who still things that human rights issues are not serious needs to be educated.
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“Nigerians are more educated and you cannot deprive them of human rights. So, whatever you do, do not forget human rights. People would always challenge you to show a warrant, tell them their offence and other questions. These are the rights of the people and you should act in accordance with the constitution,” he stated.
Earlier Speaking, the Commissioner for Police, Gombe State, CP Aqua Etim welcomed the AIG to the command, which he noted “had an establishment strength of 3,905 Personal– 297 special constabularies trained and deployed to their LGAs across 6 area commands.”
Etim described Gombe as the most peaceful in North-East the despite threats such as “Boko-haram, farmers herders clashed, Kiddappers, inter and intra communal clashes and pockets of kidnapping”
He noted that the command was constantly collaborating with security stakeholders and the public “through intelligence gathering, intensive foot and vehicular patrols as well as formation of Quick Response Squad.”
He further expressed the hope that the visit of the AIG would translate to more equipment and other logistics to intensify its fight against activities of those he described as economic saboteurs and miscreants.
Justice Watch News observed that the visit featured interactive sessions with officers and men of the Gombe Police Command and members of the police community relations committee.
