President Muhammadu Buhari has approved Enhanced Salary Structure for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports President Buhari made the approval on Monday after meeting with Board of Police Service Commission at the State House, Abuja.
The Board of Police Service Commission was led by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
Buhari assured of his administration commitment to continue to give attention to the welfare and operational needs of the Police.
He regretted the inability of the Police in carrying out its constitutional role as the frontline force in the prevention of crime, which he said had led to military involvement in the maintenance of law and order throughout the country.
“From Taraba to Sokoto, to the South-South, people don’t feel secure until they see the military.
“I am pleased to make the increase in salary and allowances in the hope that it will increase the performance index of the police and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security system,” the President said.
President Buhari observed that the more efficient the police is, the more confident the government and citizens will be.
“The military should be reserved for higher tasks. The police should be able to cope well with the challenges of armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and such crimes.
“In every town and village, there is the presence of the police. From all these places, they should be able to forward first class intelligence to you on which to act,” Buhari observed.
He further observed that there is a need to amplify the question of more men of the police, “especially given the condition we are in – emergency in the North-East, pervasive insecurity and abduction for ransom and banditry in many parts of the country”.
He congratulated the Police for the success recorded against what he described as criminals taxing people and stopping them from their farms.
“We are expecting more from you,” the President told the police.
TNG reports the Board of Police Service Commission, led by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, was on a “thank you” visit to Buhari following his approval of Rank Salary Structure Adjustment, by which salary, allowances and pension of policemen will be increased.
Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (rtd), full-time Commissioner in the Nigeria Police Service Commission, who represented the Chairman, Musiliu Smith, had informed the President that the Rank Salary Structure Adjustment would enhance police welfare and morale.
IGP Idris also assured that the police would redouble efforts, and also work to ensure free, fair and credible elections throughout the country next year.