One of the ways the Police can impress voters and Nigerians during the forthcoming elections is to discharge their duties in a professional manner, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has said.
Abba made the remark on Friday in Abuja when he decorated 10 newly promoted senior police officers with their new ranks.
He also said that Nigerians would be happy with the police if they exhibited non-partisan trait, became accessible and offered necessary assistance aside from providing them with security during the exercise.
According to him, election is one of the most important aspects in democracy and urged the officers to strive to advance the course of democratic rule in the country.
The I-G commended Zonal AIGs and Commissioners of Police in charge of the 36 commands and the FCT for providing security for ongoing campaigns and other processes leading to the elections.
He said that he had since Aug., 2014 directed that the weekly lectures being conducted by the police should include election issues, to sensitize officers to their role in the exercise.
“I am happy to note that every unit in the police, from the headquarters to police out posts where weekly lectures are conducted, have included lectures on the elections.
“This should be sustained at least until after the polls.
“After the election, there will be those with the responsibility of assessing the conduct (of officers) so that we will be able to gather the lessons learnt for future use,’’ he said.
Abba reminded the newly promoted senior officers that the rank of DIG, AIG and CP were among the top management ranks in the force and charged them to justify their elevation.
“You have now moved from field supervisors to managers where you are involved in making policies,’’ he said.
Responding, Mr Adeola Adeniji, the only DIG among the promoted officers, thanked the I-G for the elevation and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Reports state that one of the three newly promoted AIGs is Mr Adenrele Shinaba, who until the elevation was the Commissioner of Police in Kano State.
Shinaba now takes charge of Zone 4 Police Command – Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau.