By Mohammed Baba Busu
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged the newly graduated Police Constables to serve the nation with empathy, fairness and dedication.
He advised the passing-out parade of the 2022/2023 Batch of Police Force (NPF) Constables recruitment scheme on Tuesday in Minna, Niger.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Constables were 374 in number, having completed their six-month mandatory basic police training course.
NAN also reports that the constables being passed out brought the total number of recruits to 20,000 since Egbetokun’s assumption of duty.
The IGP, represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 7, Headquarters, AIG Victor Olaiya, reminded them that every action they take reflects not only their characters, as individuals, but also that of the entire Nigeria Police Force.
“To the newly commissioned Constables, your journey as members of this noble institution begins today. You have been found worthy in character, learning, and discipline.
“I congratulate you warmly on your successful completion of training and welcome you into the Police family, a family bound by service, sacrifice, and an unshakeable commitment to our nation.
“As you begin your professional journey, carry with you the values of honour, diligence, and patriotism instilled during your training.
“I must, however, remind you that policing is not merely a job; it is a sacred duty. Your conduct must be guided at all times by professionalism, integrity, and respect for the rights and dignity of all citizens,” he said.
He urged them to shun corruption, extortion, and abuse of power, adding that the uniform they wore was a symbol of trust, and it must never be used to intimidate or oppress the people they were sworn to protect.
He also urged them to uphold the rule of law, act with compassion, and remember that the true measure of their success lies in the safety, peace, and confidence of the communities they serve.
He prayed that almighty God grant them the wisdom, strength, and protection to serve Nigeria with honour, courage, and humility.
“I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support and genuine commitment to police transformation.
“The President’s sustained interest in strengthening the Force inspired our unrelenting drive towards reform, improved welfare, and operational efficiency.
“To the good people of Nigeria, I assure you, once again, that the Force remains fully committed to protecting lives and property, enforcing the law without fear or favour, and upholding the highest standards of accountability.
“We will continue to strengthen our partnership with communities, as the task of building a safe and peaceful society requires the collective effort of all citizens,” he said.
Egbetokun also assured that with all hands on deck, the Force could secure the country and create an environment where every Nigerian could live, work, and thrive without fear.
Earlier, the Commandant, Police Training School, Minna, ACP Yunusa Isah-Wakili, appealed to the graduands not to waste the knowledge they have acquired during their training.
“Instead, you should reciprocate the gesture of the constituted authority by being professional in your conduct, as you will henceforth be held accountable for your actions or inactions.
“Today, I sincerely welcome you into the family of the NPF and urge you to improve on those areas that you once criticised the Force.
“This is especially in areas of human rights violation by some Police officers while performing their statutory duties,” he advised.
Isah-Wakili therefore, admonished them to be steadfast in their career and to always let their decisions be informed by the guiding principles of the Force.
“Your passing out is a milestone and obviously your contributions to security of lives and property especially, as clock tick towards 2027 general elections is mandatory,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
