By Adewole Kehinde
In the true tradition of noble service to man and community, IGP Ibrahim K-Idris has within 2 years in the saddle as the Inspector General of Police has not only shown that accountability is possible in the Police Force but has also taken the bull by the horn by working closely with the entire police formation across the country; there is honesty in all he does.
In every fora, he has made it clear to his men that they must be the change agent and that the era of corruption, reckless use of fire arm in the Police Force is over.
No wonder the entire Police formation went agog when on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 when President Buhari’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina announced the appointment of then Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, as the Acting Inspector-General of Police in Nigeria.
No doubt, IGP Ibrahim Idris became the happiest persons in Nigeria when he was confirmed as substantive Inspector General of Police on Wednesday, September 7th, 2016. IGP Idris’ confirmation came barely four months after President Buhari elevated him from an Assistant Inspector General of Police, to the Acting IGP, following the retirement of his predecessor, IGP Solomon Arase who retired from service.
In order to establish and maintain high standard of behaviour in Police’s official conduct and to eliminate latitude and ensure transparency in the application of the core values of the Nigeria Police, IGP Idris set in motion to ensure that the following activities were carried out immediately by this administration:
Responsive Police Institution: It has been against work ethics for Police Commander at any Command level in threatening complaints with levity and complaint received from members of the public are treated within shortest possible time to the satisfaction of the complainant. This is in line with IGP Idris’s principles of democratic policing which states that a democratic police institution must be responsive to the yearnings of the community.
Transparency and Accountability in the Management of Police Cooperative, Police Mortgage Bank and Police Insurance Schemes: The management of Police Cooperative, Police Mortgage Bank and Insurance Schemes which are investments made by the members of the force is now more transparent and accountable to the generality of the Police personnel, especially the ranks and file who constitute the largest contributors. A lot has been achieved in the IGP Idris efforts to enhance the welfare of the police personnel through genuine utilization of these three investments. The accounts of these institutions bodies has been made more transparent and accountable to the entire members of the force and contributors now have more say in the running of these accounts and on how their investments will be utilized on daily basis.
Strengthening of the Police X-Squads Units to Fight Corruption amongst Civil Servants: In his effort to give a boost to the current administrations war on corruption, the Police management under IGP Idris has strengthen the Police X-Squad Units in the Police Commands with the deployment of thoroughly vetted, selfless and patriotic officers to tackle corruption and abuse of office within the police organization and amongst the Federal, States and Local government levels. The personnel deployed to this anti-corruption unit are been supported with incentives to make them more effective in the discharge of their duties.
Cheap and Affordable Housing for Ranks and File: IGP Idris administration has left no stone unturned to look into the issue of provision of cheap and affordable accommodation for the police ranks and file to own individually. Through the Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank, Police Ranks and File can now own their personal houses with ease even after retirement.
Availability of Police Uniforms and Accoutrement: Making uniforms and accoutrement available for members of Ranks and File has been the priority of IGP Idris. Hence, appearance of every Police
