Don’t mortgage your goodwill, IGP tells police officers

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba Usman, has urged police officers not to compromise the integrity of their office for selfish gain.

Usman spoke at the weekend in Lagos while inaugurating multimillion naira projects executed by the outgoing Commander of Area ‘B’ Police Command, Apapa, Lagos, Mr. Olusoji Akinbayo.

The projects consist of a onestory block, comprising a fully equipped new area commander’s office, conference room and 10 other offices for senior officers, as well as the renovation of other existing structures.

The IGP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone ‘2’ Command, Lagos, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, said the feat achieved by Akinbayo was worthy of emulation by all officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said, “This is indeed an unparalleled achievement. It is apparent that the Area Commander did not mortgage his PR. If he had done so, he would never have been able to mobilise people to support him in this manner.

“DCP Olusoji Akinbayo has demonstrated professionalism and shown an example, which other area commanders have a lot to learn from. One thing is clear from what we have seen here, if you show that you care for the people, the people too will be there for you. And so long as you don’t mortgage your PR, you will have no cause to sacrifice your integrity.”

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, said the support Akinbayo enjoyed from the people was a testament to his excellent service to the community.

He enjoined police officers to work on “Improving their relationship with the people and also strive to police with a human face”.