Police Boss Declares War On Boko Haram
The Nigerian Police Force has vowed to fish out sponsors and remnants of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, describing them as criminals who must be made to face the wrath of the law.
Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim spoke at the Nigerian Police Academy in Wudil Kano, North-West Nigeria this afternoon.
The police boss who almost spat fire over the unprovoked activities of the terror gang said the police will never consider the option of negotiation with the group which has continued to spread terror in some states of northern Nigeria, particularly, Borno and Bauchi.
The Boko Haram group had claimed responsibility for recent killing of some politicians in Borno, even as they issued death threats to a number of top politicians in that region.
Ringim described the Islamic extremists as enemies of the state whose cause should not be considered just, even in the wildest imagination
“Police do not negotiate with criminals and we must apply all the strategies within our reach to make them face the law,†he further declared.
He was at the Wudil Police Academy for the passing out of the Cadet ASP Course, 23/2009 and Cadet Inspector Course, 38/2009.
The police boss stated clearly that his men and officers are engaging on a renewed onslaught on the conservative Islamic sect whose operations have led to the death of hundreds of innocent Nigerians, including security agents and politicians who are their main target.
According to Ringim, the police, also are better positioned to ensure free, fair and peaceful election in April, pointing out that training and re-training of his men for that purpose have gone a long way to make them better prepared for the forthcoming polls.
“The Federal Government has promised a level playing ground for all the political parties and our duty in this direction is to provide a peaceful atmosphere needed for a free and fair election,†he noted.
“There is a new dawn in the Nigerian police. The White Paper on Police Reforms encompasses many recommendations to uplift the Force, and implementations have since begun. The current operation/professional training and programmes on-going in various Police Training Institutions in the country derive from the reform programme.
“From all indications, the Nigerian Police is moving in quantum leaps. Based on this fact, and from my projections, I can assure you that what it takes to improve service delivery has been set in motion. The burden now lies on us to be stirred in offering better services to Nigerians,†he challenged his men and officers.
While advising the graduating Cadet ASP and Inspectors, he said the 18-month training programme they embarked upon is one of the top criteria that qualifies them as commissioned police officers and advised them to be good ambassadors of the Force wherever they are deployed to serve.
Thepolice boss also used the occasion to announce approval for the up-grading of Wudil Police Academy into a degree-awarding institution where Nigerians desirous of a career in the Police are admitted with school certificates and diploma to pursue a degree in Police science.
Ringim also reminded the graduates that they were enlisted into the force to defend the defenceless, to protect the people and not to oppress them.
At least 203 Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and 211 Inspectors passed out, while three amongst the Cadet Inspectors who could not cope with the set standards at the Academy were retarded for three months.
—Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/ Kano
Comments