Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, on Thursday, raised the alarm over alleged threat to the lives of police personnel in the discharge of their duties.
Baba, therefore, advised police officers to be on the alert, vigilant and prayerful as they are now endangered species in Nigeria.
He said given the prevailing situation, police personnel need prayers for protection and guidance.
The IGP stated this on while inaugurating the administrative block of No 26 Squadron Police Mobile Force and 1.7 kilometre internal road network at Mopol Barracks, Idoro road Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The IGP said, “I want to encourage the officers to always pray. I can see a church and a mosque here. Policemen are becoming too religious these days and that is good! I say any person who does not know how to pray is in danger.
“These days you know we are endangered species, we need to pray and protect ourselves very well. I want to appreciate all the officers and men for cooperating with their commanders.”
The IGP said the newly constructed administrative block and the good road network would make life easier for the officers and men.
Baba, however, commended the Niger Delta Development Commission for its intervention in constructing the projects which were abandoned years ago, urging the commission to do more for the police.
He said, “These projects are for the policemen to improve their working environment. I want to appreciate the commanding officer for having the initiative and courage to find the means and ways of completing these two projects.
“I always appreciate officers who add value to where they work and where they live. Two things that can motivate and encourage one are a convenient place of work and where to retire to after the day’s job, and I can tell you, you have those two things here.
“To NDDC, I commend you for making the work easy for the officers and men and the people of Niger Delta as a whole and may God continue to bless you even as you do more.”
Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Engr Emmanuel Audu Ohwavboura, in his address on the occasion, said the agency in recognition of Section 6 of the police force mission statement and partnership took over the construction of the projects in their dilapidated states and awarded the contract to Messrs God’s Own Project Limited when the police sought their help.
Audu, who was represented by the Akwa Ibom State Director of NDDC, Engr Udoette Obot, disclosed that the police post project at Osongama Extension which is at 80% completion stage would soon be inaugurated
He urged members of the public and the officers to protect and make good use of the facilities.
“May I state here that as a critical stakeholder, the Nigeria Police Force led by IGP Usman Baba has helped to advance NDDC’s share of cooperation with the force by providing an enabling environment for our contractors to operate without molestations,” he added.
