The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has promised to tackle manpower deficit and improve welfare of officers.
He made this disclosure at the Kwara State Police command in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Friday, adding that his administration would improve the condition of men of the Force.
Egbetokun, who was on a day working visit to the Command lamented that he was aware of the working condition of an average Policeman adding that one Police man does the job of two people.
He however said said that the increase in the manpower would be gradual, added that President Bola Tinubu has recently given approval for increase in yearly recruitment in the Force.
Egbetokun said, “We’re paying attention to manpower. I know there’s shortage of manpower in the command. I know the stress that I had gone through while as CP in making sure that the job is done. I know one police man does job of two police men.
“A police man would close from night duty and resume for morning duty. And as he’s closing from morning duty, he’s resuming night duty. And when he dozes off in public, his photograph is taken and posted and make ridicule of him. I’m aware of all these.
“We’re making efforts to increase your strength. President had recently given approval for yearly recruitment in police. That’s the way forward. We need to double the strength of police in the country. We cannot do it overnight, but gradually. And gradually we’ll get there. We’ll also emphasise training to achieve professionally competent police force. We’re also looking into welfare in the increase in salary and other areas to improve lives of officers, just as equipping Police Force is a priority. We promise to take care of the insurance plan too.”
The IGP, who said that he had interesting time while in Kwara state as the Commissioner of Police, said that, “I’m so excited to be with you seeing your smiling faces. I’m aware of your sacrifices to make Kwara peaceful. I’m aware of your exploits, arrest, convictions, breakthrough, and recovery of arms you are making.”
He also shared the new vision of the Police, which he said is to have a professionally competent police force, service driven, rule of law compliant, citizen- friendly and a police force that will support agenda of government in economic recovery and growth as well as social integration and political development of our country. A police force that will respond to dynamic of crime and criminality in our community”.
In his welcome address, the state commissioner of police, Victor Olaiya, requested the supply of an Amoured Personnel Carrier, from the IGP to further enhance security of banks and improve of crime fighting capacity.
The CP also said that the number of Policemen and women policing Kwara state has dropped far below the accepted United Nations policing ratio of one policeman to 400 citizens.
He said that Kwara state Police Command was created on May 5, 1967 with strength of 8,000 policemen, when the population of the state was far below two million people.
“Thankfully, the IGP has assured of the recruitment of more hands, and we hope and wish it continues.
“Kwara State is a gateway State between the Northern and Southern parts of the country; this alone has
exposed the state to both negative and positive opportunities with her position, hence the need to
continually be on our toes.
“The state is surrounded by both local and international borders, making policing challenging. This brings me to the issue of synergy with sister agencies. I am proud to report, sir that the foundation of collaboration while you served as the Commissioner of Police Kwara State Command has taken a firm root, which has contributed to the successes achieved in the area of crime fighting in the State.
“In spite of logistic challenges and inadequate manpower, the command has been trying to sustain the harmony that has existed in the state,” Olaiya added.
