Planned Police Strike: IGP Begs Personnel To Remain Calm, Down Tool Not Necessary

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Baba Alkali Usman has implored the Police personnel to drop the well-circulated planned strike as efforts are been made to address their welfare and other problems.

Usman made the appeal while addressing officers of Zone 2 Command comprising Lagos and Ogun State Commands at the Lagos State Command headquarter, Ikeja.

The IGP who was ably represented by the Police Coordinator of South West Zone, DIG Johnson Kokumo said the police management has done enough about the issue raised by officers and men, adding that the planned strike is unnecessary.

He said that aside from what the police management and the federal had done for the police, the member of the public has done many things for the police and do not deserve disappointment from the force.

According to him, “I bring good tidings from Inspector General of Police who has to advise us to eschew all forms of unethical practices that there should be total conformity to the rule of our engagement, we should be professional in all our dealings we have rules and regulations guarding us and strike is prohibited in the force”.

“You should remember the slogan that the police is your friend if you engaged in the abuse of the public whose taxes are used to pay you should know that they are watching our backs if you do good the public will commend you. If you do bad the public will condemn you.

“You should know that the Bible has given us automatically to heaven because it said blessed are the peacemakers as they will see the kingdom of God. We are peacemakers. And you should not disappoint the people we are assigned to protect. In that case, should not go on strike and I believe you know the consequences of going on strike”, he said.

Enumerating what the police has done, he said “The president has increase our salary and emoluments and the actualization is undergoing processes so it is not automatic, it has to go through ministerial process. The President has given the order and no one can counter the order, the government has also given us tax relief so our salaries are not taxed.

“The IGP has also ordered for training and training of officers. He has ordered the recruitment of more policemen; ordered building, rebuilding, and refurbishing of Barracks and offices across the country.

The IGP had ordered the Commissioners of Police across the country to come to the force headquarters to collect kits, accouterments, and other tools to make your job easy.

“You have put many years in the force so a little patience will lead us to the promised land I am telling you that you should not be deceived by disgruntle elements don’t go on strike as police don’t go on strike.

He also said the police management team is putting machinery in place to promote educated rank and files and also doing something about the exemption of Police from contributory pension the matter is present with the national assembly.

The police personnel has promised to do their work diligently as the IGP also promises to take good care of their welfare package adequately.

“My duty tour of Lagos State Command and Zone 2 is a routine one. I also double as the DIG supervising the South West States and that’s why am here to talk to the officers and men to eschew all forms of ethical attitudes.

“Synergies between police and other security agencies is important to wade off crime and criminality in South West. The implementation of the salary of the police personnel is at advanced stage every police personnel will soon smile across the country.”

Earlier the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi said on behalf of officers and men of the State Command we want to appreciate DIG and we want to assure the IGP that the massage passed to us will be digested properly and we are pledging our loyalty at the Lagos State Command to the Inspector General of Police and the Federal government of Nigeria.

The CP also assured that the Command will continue to support the IGP and his team and will also do our utmost best to protect the State and make it peaceful and give the residents a good service delivery.