The Police High Command, Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba on Wednesday pleaded with police officers not to embark on planned strike.
The police boss who was on tour to South West told officers and men of Zone 2 Command comprising Lagos and Ogun State Commands that they should not go on strike as the force is forbidden to do so.
Baba who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South West zone, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, said the IGP has done enough about the issue raised by officers and men adding that the planned strike is not necessary.
He said that aside from what the police management and the federal had done for the police, the members of the public have done some good things for the police and do not deserve disappointment from the Force.
“I bring good tidings from Inspector General of Police who has advised us to eschew all forms of unethical practices, and that there should be total conformity to the rule of our engagement, we should be professional in all our dealings, we have rules and regulations guiding us and strike is prohibited in the Force.
“You should remember the slogan that the police is your friend, if you engage in the abuse of the public whose taxes are used to pay, you should know that they are watching our backs if you do good the public will commend you. If you do bad the public will condemn you.
“You should know that the Bible has given us automatic place in heaven because it said blessed are the peace makers as they will see the Kingdom of God. We are peace makers. And you should not disappoint the people we are assigned to protect. In that case, you should not go on strike and I believe you know the consequences of going on strike.”
Highlighting what the police has done, he said, “The president has increased our salary and emoluments and the actualisation is under going processes so it is not automatic, it has to go through ministerial process. The President has given the Order and no one can counter the Order, the government has also given us tax relief so our salaries are not taxed.
“The IGP has also ordered for training and training of officers. He has ordered the recruitment of more policemen; ordered building, rebuilding and refurbishing of Barracks and offices across the country.
“The IGP had ordered the Commissioners of Police across the country to come to the Force headquarters to collect kits, accoutrements and other tools to make your job easy.
“You have been putting many years in the Force, so a little patience will lead us to the promise land.
“I am telling you that you should not be deceived by disgruntled elements, don’t go on strike as police don’t go on strike.
He also said police management team is putting machineries in place to promote educated rank and files, stating further that “They are also doing something about the excemption of Police from contributory pension, the matter is presently with the National Assembly.”
The police personnel have pledged to do their work diligently as the IGP also promised to take good care of their welfare package adequately.
“My duty tour of Lagos State Command and Zone 2 is a routine one. I also double as the DIG supervising South West States and that’s why I am here to talk to the officers and men to eschew all forms of unethical attitudes.
“Synagies between police and other security agencies is important to wade off crime and criminality in South-West. The implementation of the salary of the police personnel is at advanced stage every police personnel will soon smile across the country,” he said.
Earlier the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi on behalf of officers and men of the State Command appreciated the DIG and assured the IGP that the massage passed to will be digested properly.
CP Alabi said, “We are pledging our loyalty at the Lagos State Command to the Inspector General of Police and the Federal government of Nigeria.
The CP, however, said the Command will continue to support the IGP and his team and will do its utmost best to protect the State and make it peaceful and give the residents good service delivery.
