The twentieth indigenous Inspector General of Police, Muhammmed A. Adamu has on Tuesday urged Nigerians to take security as the business of everybody towards tackling the insecurity challenges facing the country.
Adamu stated this while delivering the lecture themed “Security and Protection System: The Challenge of Policing in Nigeria” during the 2019 Town Talk Lecture in Ibadan Oyo State.
Speaking through the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Research and Training, Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo, the IGP stated that inadequate funding, manpower shortage, inferior fire power, inadequate technology and lack of public trust among others are the challenges facing the Nigerian Police Force.
Noting that the topic is of utmost importance considering the barrage of internal security challenges facing the country, he said “These range from insurgency to armed banditry, kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery among other heinous crimes. Thus, bringing the issue of security and effective policing to the front burner in our daily national discourse”.
He noted that the challenges of policing in Nigeria could be grouped into internal and external challenges.
“The performance of the Nigeria Police Force in combating threats to internal security is hampered by many challenges. These challenges can be grouped into external challenges and internal challenges. External challenges are beyond the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police to ameliorate or remedy, hence, need intervention of external bodies such as the political class”.
He stated that internal challenges are institutional challenges inherent in the Nigeria Police Force which includes inadequate funding, manpower shortage, inferior fire power, inadequate technology and lack of public trust among others.
Adamu further stated that the presidential approval of yearly recruitment of 10,000 police officers for five consecutive years, if religiously followed through, would help in bridging the manpower gap.
Also, he solicited for the support of all Nigerians for the Nigeria Police Force in the onerous task of discharging its internal security mandate.
“The support of the citizenry is imperative as security must not be seen as the responsibility of government alone, but the business of both the citizens and the government”;
“We must accept and believe that our nation can only be secured, safe and prosperous if security is taken as the business of everybody. Criminals are neither from the Jupiter nor heaven but within and among us” he said.
The Police Chief added every citizen is required to drive the security and protection system of the nation in whatever possible way he or she could to enhance national security.
He equally urged the good citizens of Nigeria to discreetly provide from time to time, the needed information to apprehend criminals in the society so as to make it remain peaceful and prosperous.
Adamu however called on the government at all levels to provide them with security and also see to their well-being.
Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka who was ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Adebola Babatunde Ekanola said “Nigeria today is bedeviled with high level of insecurity and this bothered on terrorism, kidnapping, violence, robbery attack, banditry, human trafficking and increasing incidence of cybercrimes. All these affects Nigeria and has painted her in a very negative light”.
“It affects negatively our daily lives, the economic development and our international relations in the comity of nations” he stated.
He reiterated on the slogan ‘Police is your friend’ that the friendship has to be shown in our cooperative effort for the police in enhancing our own security.
He further said “The task of policing, for it to be effective has to be done collectively. In as much as the police has an important role to play, you and I as ordinary citizens has our own responsibility as far as the issues bothering on security”.
He appreciates the dynamism of the UI Alumni for its pro-activeness for organizing the town talk on the issue of security and policing and as well the Nigeria Police Force led by IGP Adamu for his relentless efforts in ensuring peace in the country.
In his comments, the Chairman, University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Professor Olufemi Adegbesan stated that the conception of the town lecture led by him was with the motive to assist the Nigeria Police Force to enlighten the society on the challenges of policing in Nigeria and to see how the society can assist in upgrading the protection system in the country.
Meanwhile, the Chairman Planning Committee, Engr. Dr. Sarah Akintola expressed her gratitude on the success of the event, and to those who graced the event while she wished them successful journey to their various destinations.
In his own remarks, the Vice President, Ezendigbo worldwide, Dr. Eze Alex stated that leaders, policy makers and stakeholders should lead by example in their doings.
He further urged Nigerians to be law abiding citizens as and as well be a partner in progress to the Nigeria police force in reducing the insecurity threats in the country.
The lecture had in attendance the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu who was ably represented by the DIG in charge of Research and Training, Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo; AIG, Leye Oyebade, Oyo Commissioner of Police, Shina T. Olukolu; UI Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka ably represented by the DVC Academics, Prof. Adebola Ekanola; President UIAA Worldwide, Prof. Elsie Adewoye; Chairman UI Alumni Chapter, Prof. Olufemi Adegbesan; VP Ezendigbo worldwide, Dr. Eze Alex, Mr. Ibidapo Sanusi of fire service; Prof. Remi-Raji Oyelade; Engr. Dr. Sarah Akintola; people in the academia; police officers; students among others.
It is pertinent to note that before the close of the event, the DIG, Peter Babatunde was inducted into the Alumni of the University of Ibadan.