Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of South-West zone, Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, has urged police officers in Ogun State, to shun anti-human rights behaviors capable of tarnishing the image of the force.
He said would help change the negative narrative members of the public have against police in the state.
This was just as he sought Governor Dapo Abiodun’s support on security facilities for police officers to assist them work effectively in combating crime and criminality in the state.
Alabi, who stated this when he visited Ogun State on Tuesday, on a One Day Tour, charged the officers to eschew acts of police brutality and exploitation of money from members of the public so that they could change their negative perspective about them and earned their trust on security matters
He said his visit to the state was in compliance with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that all Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police should visit their geopolitical zones to interact and interface with various police officers on professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The DIG, who also oversees the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Abuja, advised the police officers to imbibe the spirit of discipline, hardwork and took advantage of training programmes and opportunities, and to make sure they discharge their duties within the confine of the law.
He said “I wish to extend hands of gratitude to you for your unwavering dedication and relentless efforts in maintaining law and order within our various communities. Your hard work and commitment to duties are the pillars upon which the safety and security of our nation rest fairly. Our role in society is not only to enforce the law but to also uphold values of justice, integrity and service.
“One of the major reasons why I came to Ogun State is to inform our officers to work within the ambit of the law and to ensure that they don’t get involved in unethical or unprofessional conducts.
“You will agree with me that one of the reasons we have negative perception by the members of the public is the abuse of fundamental human rights and the mission not the present IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, is that we must entrench professional competence, the rule of law compliance, people friendly and service driven police force and to enable us achieve that vision.
“The IGP will never tolerate any public abuse or breach of anybody’s human rights. It is our constitutional duties, it is even in our police acts that we should protect human rights. So, our men had been lectured properly and had been admonished to desist from abusing or breaching human rights. Area commandants, DPOs and the management team of the CP Ogun State commands had been told that any infractions should be adequately punished.”
Alabi, while speaking during his courtesy visit to the governor at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, thanked him for his friendly collaboration with the police force.
He, meanwhile, sought more support of the government on facilities and equipment, and assured the police readiness to ensure the security of lives and properties of the citizens.
“We all know that it is not easy for development to strive without having a peaceful environment therefore there is a need for adequate security to be put in place.
“Your excellency, we appreciate your efforts and all you have been doing for police in Ogun State; to double their efforts to serve the communities to their best, we cannot do that without further bsoliciting for your support” he noted.
Responding, Abiodun said that the state would continue to collaborate with the police on security matters to ensure peaceful environment for investors as well as securing the lives and properties of the people so as to combat crime for people to sleep with their two eyes closed.
“It is indeed a pleasure for me to receive you this afternoon. I want to appreciate the CP and his team for doing a good job in the state. We have continued to enjoy their cooperation, we have continued to provide them with the needed supports; they also in turn, have an excellent and collaboration with other law enforcement agents in the state which has translated into a very peaceful atmosphere and a conducive environment for investors to come and invest and for investments to thrive in the state,” the governor said.
The State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, tasked the officers to take advantage of the opportunities in the one day tour to tap from the wealth of experience of the DIG to enhance their performances in the discharge of their duties.
The DIG also visited the palace of Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, where he sought prayers and support of traditional rulers in the state for adequate security.