The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has announced that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will vacate the local government secretariats in Rivers State following a court judgment regarding the ongoing controversy over the tenure of local government council chairmen in the state. This declaration was made during a meeting with senior police officers held in Abuja on Thursday.
During this meeting, IGP Egbetokun emphasized that the presence of police officers at the local government secretariats was not intended to intimidate anyone but rather to ensure peace and order. He noted that the police presence is a preventive measure aimed at maintaining stability and preventing any potential breakdown of law and order amid the contentious tenure dispute.
“The occupation of the local government secretariats by Policemen was to ensure peace and order and not to intimidate anyone,” Egbetokun stated. He directed that the police should continue their barricade of the secretariats until a court of competent jurisdiction delivers a verdict on the issue of the local government chairmanship tenure in Rivers State.
Furthermore, IGP Egbetokun addressed the controversy surrounding the recruitment of constables and responded to allegations leveled against him by the Police Service Commission (PSC). He underscored the importance of maintaining high standards in the recruitment process, insisting that the management of the Force would not stand by and allow individuals of questionable character and inadequate qualifications to be inducted into the Police Force. “The management of the Force will not sit idly and watch questionable and untrainable persons recruited into the Police Force,” he affirmed.
He reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force is a specialized institution that requires individuals with specific qualities and training, implying that it is not an institution open to just anyone. Egbetokun’s remarks highlight the critical nature of the recruitment process in ensuring that only those who meet the stringent requirements of the Force are admitted, thereby maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the NPF.
The controversy over the tenure of local government council chairmen in Rivers State has been a contentious issue, with various stakeholders awaiting a judicial resolution. The involvement of the police has been a point of concern for some, but the IGP’s statements aim to clarify the intentions behind their presence. By asserting that the police are there to maintain order, Egbetokun seeks to alleviate fears of undue influence or intimidation.
Egbetokun’s address to senior officers also reflects broader issues within the Nigeria Police Force, particularly regarding recruitment and standards. The insistence on not allowing “questionable and untrainable persons” into the Force speaks to ongoing efforts to professionalize and improve the institution. These comments suggest a commitment to reform and to upholding the standards necessary for the police to effectively serve and protect the public.
In conclusion, IGP Kayode Egbetokun’s statements provide insight into the current operational stance of the Nigeria Police Force concerning the local government secretariats in Rivers State and the broader issues of recruitment and standards within the Force. By focusing on maintaining peace and order while awaiting judicial resolution, and by emphasizing stringent recruitment standards, the IGP underscores the importance of integrity, professionalism, and order in the functioning of the Nigeria Police Force.
