By Adewole Kehinde
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at a meeting with strategic police managers and a media briefing on the achievements of the Nigeria Police Force, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, highlighted some of his accomplishments.
I am happy that the Acting IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, is matching actions with words with the successful dismantling of several notorious criminal syndicates involved in organized crimes such as armed banditry, insurgency, armed robbery, kidnapping, gun running, cattle rustling, etc., leading to the arrest of 986 armed robbery suspects, 377 kidnap suspects, including bandits, 848 suspects of homicide, 297 suspects for possession of prohibited firearms, 517 suspects of rape, defilement, and other sexual offences, 874 suspected cultists, and 5,281 suspects for various other offences.
Similarly, a total of 520 firearms of various calibres including AK47s and other assault rifles, 4,043 assorted rounds of ammunition, and 264 stolen vehicles were recovered nationwide, while a total of 363 kidnap victims were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families and loved ones.
I recalled that on the assumption of office, the Acting IGP, as part of his crime management tactics to address the trending crimes in the country, promised to reinvigorate the Police Mobile Force. I am happy that he has started the process of mobilizing 40,000 strong and willing Police personnel who are drawn from the existing Police Mobile Force Squadrons, State/Zonal Police Commands, and other tactical Units of the Force.
I am also aware that, in a bid to enhance community-oriented law enforcement and reinforce public participation and trust in the Nigeria Police Force, the Acting IGP is working assiduously to unveil a series of practical initiatives on community policing and a comprehensive reorganization plan in line with his action plans and vision statement.
According to Egbetokun, this renewed community policing plan is geared towards building strong partnerships with local communities and a proactive and collaborative approach to policing that addresses the specific needs and concerns of citizens so as to create a safer and more secure environment for all residents while promoting transparency and accountability within the police force.
The Acting IGP must be commended for strictly operating under the ideals that briefly embody his mission and vision statements: to have a professionally competent, service-driven, rule-of-law-compliant, and people-friendly Police Force that will support the agenda of the government for economic recovery and growth as well as the socio-political development of Nigeria, and to evolve into a Police Force that is well positioned to respond appropriately and adequately to the dynamics of crimes and criminality in our contemporary society.
Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of our lives. Egbetokun has taken a step that is now becoming the biggest step in the Nigeria Police Force.
Another historic event will take place today: the Schools Protection Squad (SPS), a proactive initiative aimed at enhancing security and safety in educational institutions across Nigeria.
As I have analyzed in my previous article on the Schools Protection Squad (SPS), It is most gratifying to state that the acting IGP is well known for his passion for the pursuit of academic excellence owing to the totality of his academic accomplishments since his days as an undergraduate from the prestigious University of Lagos where he obtained the following degrees B.Sc. Mathematics, Post-graduate Diploma in Computer Science, Master of Science Degree in Engineering Analysis, PGD Petroleum Economics from Delta State University, Abraka, and MBA from Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the Center for Peace and Security Studies, Al-hikmah University, Ilorin and thereby making history as the first Ph.D. candidate to graduate from the Center.
So, I was not surprised that, as part of his policy geared towards the security of lives and property, most especially the safety of schools and students, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, announced the establishment of the Schools Protection Squad (SPS).
As the Schools Protection Squad (SPS) is launched today, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has keyed into the Federal Government’s total commitment towards the success of its safe school initiative, as education remains perhaps the most important factor in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and schools are made safe for learning.
As over 250 individuals drawn from various sectors, including the presidency, executive, judiciary, legislature, security agencies, civil society organizations, media, school administrators, unions, and other stakeholders, gathered today to launch the Schools Protection Squad (SPS), it is high time relevant stakeholders supported the Inspector-General of Police to actively participate and support the initiative for the safety and general well-being of our educational assets in Nigeria.
In conclusion, I agree with IGP that Nigeria can build a robust education system that guarantees a secure and conducive learning environment for every child.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846 or kennyadewole@gmail.com
