THE Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has admonished policemen to desist from using his name and that of other senior officers to extort unsuspecting members of the public, a statement by the Force spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed.
Describing the act as unethical, the IGP warned that any officer found guilty of leveraging his name for fraudulent activities or extortion would face severe disciplinary measures.
He reaffirmed that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, unprofessional behaviour and misconduct.
The police boss, however, implored the public to act as watchdogs by “reporting any attempt to exploit his name for fraudulent activities or extortion in the investigation of cases”, highlighting the crucial role citizens play in collaborative policing of the society and its police.
He restated the Force leadership’s zero tolerance for corrupt practices among officers.
Further expressing concern and condemnation of alleged cases of extortion and high-handedness by some officers and men of the Force. IGP Egbetokun, while addressing senior police officers, comprising Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) Commissioners (CPs) and heads of various formations at the IGP’s Conference, charged the senior officers on proper supervision of their subordinates.
At the conference, recently held at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan International Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP emphasized the consequences of lack of adequate supervision at various levels to ensure that the highest standard of professional conduct is maintained and upheld in the course of carrying out their lawful duties.
“Supervisory officers found wanting in this regard will not be spared of vicarious liability”, he maintained.
In furtherance to his action plan to clip the wings of recalcitrant officers and men, the IGP has tasked the IGP X-Squad, Monitoring Unit, Complaint Response Unit (CRU) and other disciplinary units to live up to their bidding by carrying out routine checks on the activities of officers across the country, as part of efforts to curb misconduct and corruption tendencies amongst officers.
The disciplinary units have also been mandated to ensure strict punishments are meted out to erring officers.
Eighteen-Eleven Media