Ndudi Anyim
The newly appointed acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Usman Baba, has assured that the Police under his leadership will display high level of professionalism, as well as uphold the principle of human right in discharging its responsibility of protecting lives and properties.
Baba, who was speaking during the handover cum takeover ceremony on Wednesday, also stated that the task of restoring the primacy of the Nigeria Police in the internal security architecture of the country is the main challenge ahead of his leadership.
He said that although the nation grapples with several security threats, collaborative effort from all will help surmount the enemies of the State.
He said: “ It is, however, a task that I am convinced we can surmount if we resolve as a people to partner and present a common front against the subversive and criminal elements who are the common enemies of our nation.
“ I am mindful of the yearnings of Nigerians for a policing system that will not only assure them of their safety, but treat them with civility and hold their human rights sacred. I promise to provide the highest possible level of professional and responsive leadership to meet this deserved aspiration.
“ However, I call on the citizens to change their mind sets and be prepared to work with us in the interest of community safety and national security. ”
Speaking on his appointment, the Ag. IGP stated that his ascension to the new role is a call to national duty, particularly, at a time the nation is experiencing increasingly complex and pervasive security threats occasioned by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, secessionist agitation and sundry highly organized crimes.
“ Much as the challenge of leading the Force to address these threats in the shortest possible time frame, restore security order, and return our beloved nation to the path of national unity may appear daunting, I am inspired by the fact that from my extensive years of service, I can confidently say that the Nigeria Police is endowed with some of the finest, courageous and patriotic officers who, undoubtedly, shall support me to advance the internal security vision of Mr. President, ” he said.
While appreciating the outgone IGP, Mohammed Adamu, for laying a solid foundation on which he hopes to build on, Baba urged all officers of the force to extend same support they gave the previous leadership to his tenure in order to take the NPF to the desired destination.
Our correspondent reports that IGP Baba has received many awards and commendations both locally and internationally. Among the awards and recognition, he received the prestigious Security Watch Africa Award, as the Best Anti-Crime Police Chief in Nigeria in 2016 and the Best Commissioner of Police in Crime Fighting which was awarded to him in recognition of the motivational leadership and effective anti-crime strategies he emplaced towards restoring public confidence in the police and in addressing the challenge of high-level crime as Commissioner of Police in Delta State in 2015 also from Security Watch Africa.
He has also received the Inspector General Police’s Letter of Commendation for meritorious service also in his capacity as CP Delta State. Aside these, he was recognized by the Godly Family Church, Delta State for his Humanitarian Work and for engendering Religious Harmony. He was also a recipient of the Commissioner of Police Commendation Certificate for diligence and Excellence in Administrative and Operational Duties.
He is also an Alumnus of the prestigious National Defence College where he was awarded the Fellow of the National Defence College (fdc) in 2014. He has also attended the Strategic Communication Workshop at the National Defence College in 2013 and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference on Managing Personnel Through Corrective Discipline.
Other professional courses he has attended includes the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Command Courses at the Police Staff College, Lagos; Management Skills Workshop at the Industrial Training Fund, Jos; and the Advanced Detective Course. Others include the Public Relations Development Course, and the Police Mobile Training Course among others.