Promotion in Nigeria Police will be based on merit, says IGP

The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, says promotion in the Police Force will henceforth be based on merit.

Egbetokun stated this while addressing officers and men of the Kano State Police Command on Friday.

He also said there would be no more special promotions in the Force.

Egbetokun further enjoined the personnel to shun extortion and other corrupt acts in order to enhance their public image in the ongoing fight against criminal elements in the society.

“I used to tell my officers to stop extortion, the police job is a very good job, is the best job in the world. Is a job that when you do it very well, you get prayers from people.

“It is also a job that you will do and get the opposite of prayers. So it is you the policeman that will determine what you want.

“If you want prayers, you will get enough prayers in this job. And if you want the opposite of prayers you are going to get it too. So, be mindful of that fact,” he said.

Egbetokun reminded them that God loved the police and was looking for a policeman to bless.

“Some of you will have sent away angels that God have sent to you to bless you with your wickedness.

“The moment you are engaging in corruption you are telling God that don’t worry about me I can bless myself, and God will not bother about you.

“But if you address your job with the fear of God, God will single you out for blessing.

“If you want your personal blessing then you must will it for yourself. So, if you want your personal blessing which you wish for yourself or the one from God.

“I will rather chose the blessing that will come from God,” the IGP said.

Egbetokun disclosed that the Force CID would be reorganised such that only qualified and competent officers would function in the department as well as state commands.

“Henceforth, only officers who can inspire public confidence will be given sensitive duty post, such as Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders and DPOs. If you cannot inspire public confidence you will not merit such positions.

“We want competence, we want honesty, we want integrity. That is the only way we can inspire public confidence.

“We want the support of members of the public. We cannot be calling for support when we also are not showing transparency; we’re not showing competence and we are not showing capability.

“We must show capacity. We must show integrity. We must show to the members of the public that we can be trusted. We are the lead agency in internal security. We have to demonstrate this.

“We must show commitment to professionalism. We must improve our relationship with members of the public. We must stop corruption and extortion  in our system. It doesn’t pay us.

“Those who have been engaging in extortion, I want to ask you, how has extortion improved your quality of life?” the IG-P said.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Hussaini Gumel, said over 150 criminals were arrested in different parts of the state .

He said that already a comprehensive security network had been worked out to ensure arrest and prosecution of criminal elements in the state.