By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the immediate distribution of additional batches of uniforms, kits, accoutrements and anti-riot equipment comprising bullet-proof vests with armored plates, ballistic helmets, long and short-range tear gas for civil disorder management, and stun guns.
This is to ensure that officers appear in clean uniforms and are well-suited to discharge policing services professionally before, during and after the 2023 General Election; and for general safety of all and sundry across the country.
A statement by Force Spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, says this distribution is coming on the heels of the recently procured batch of the items to cater for the welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force as preparations are in top gear for the forthcoming General Election, to optimize professionalism and friendly engagements in crowd control, as well as the subduing of any civil unrest; and to maximally adopt modern techniques of curtailing crimes and criminality.
“The IGP therefore assures of his administration’s continuous commitment to continually provide the needful and upgrade the operational capability of the Force at all levels in order to completely stamp out crimes and criminality in the country while providing top-notch election security management for the 2023 General Election”, the statement added.
“Equally, the Inspector-General of Police charges officers and men of the Force to exhibit discipline, decency, and respect people’s fundamental rights while discharging their duties” it remarked.