IBADAN-The Inspector General of Police, Muhammed A. Adamu has on Tuesday warned the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force that they were employed by the government to protect and not to oppress the citizens of the country.
Adamu disclosed this while addressing police officers at the Oyo State Police Command Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan shortly after he delivered the lecture with the theme "Security and Protection System: Challenges of Policing in Nigeria" at the University of Ibadan during the 2019 Town Talk Lecture organized by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, UI Chapter.
The Police Chief who spoke through the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Research and Training, Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo stated that efforts are ongoing to get rid of bad eggs from the Nigeria Police Force.
In his statements, Adamu said, "government did not employ us to oppress the citizens, they employed us to enforce laws and to maintain law and order. You are to make friends with people and not your enemies, and the friends we are talking about is law abiding people".
"What is in your mind as IPO or DPO when you see a case? is it to ensure justice or to make money? I want you all to know that God is seeing you. There is going to be a day that there will be no room for amendments. I think it is better to be at the good side" he said.
He further said "You must ensure that you follow the rule of law. Everything is not about money, and an average Nigerian knows what is good, when you do a good job, people know how to compensate you".
While expressing his concerns on the impact of the bad eggs in the force which has continued to undermined the integrity and professionalism of the Nigeria Police force, he said "there are ongoing efforts to get rid of unwanted elements from the force and we will not be deterred from striving hard to purge the police of bad eggs".
Also, he maintained that despite the influence of the bad eggs, efforts were being made to ensure that men and officers of the force undergo re-orientation and re-training to enable the police discharge its statutory duties effectively.
He frowned at police men collecting money for bail and raiding the innocent with the motive of collecting illegal money while he advised those in the habit to desist or face the consequences.
Adamu however warned the Nigerian police officers to desist from oppressing members of the public whom they were employed to protect, ensure to follow the rule of law and have the fear of God in their doings.