Launch Of National Security Items, Safer City Patrol Scheme And Nigeria Police Force Law Building

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SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, THE VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF NATIONAL SECURITY ITEMS, THE ‘SAFER CITY PATROL SCHEME’ AND THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE LAW BUILDING AT THE FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA, ON FRIDAY 18TH FEBRUARY, 2016

Protocols

Today’s events, the official launch of the Safer City Patrol Scheme and the commissioning of the Nigeria Police Force Law Building, represent a further manifestation of the commitment of the Federal Government to the enhancement of the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force. It is also another clear statement on the determination of the Federal Government to re-equip the Police as part of the broad repositioning strategy directed at restoring the Nigeria Police as the primary law enforcement agency in Nigeria.

Indeed, as acknowledged in Section 14 (2b) of the Constitution of the Federation of Nigeria 1999, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’. It is in cognizance of this that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR prioritized the counterterrorism warfare while also drawing on both our national assets and global goodwill to drive the national security goals of the Federal Government.

In so doing, it was recognized that if governments at all levels are to attain their sacred and constitutionally prescribed obligation of governance in relation to security and safety of citizens, the reform, reorientation, and re-equipment of the Police as an institution must also be prioritized. This is because the Police the one institution that remains critical at all times; times of peace, crisis, and post-crisis situations. It also remains a critical actor in the criminal justice system of the country.

Consequently, any nation that is desirous of national security, economic development, and democratic ethos must of necessity, be determined to evolve a potent but citizen-friendly, and rule-of-law compliant police Force.  It is for this reason that Mr. President approved the recruitment of 10,000 additional police personnel, with extra-budgetary attention extended to the police.

Beyond these, the Federal Government has been exploring diplomatic channels for purpose-based training and capacity building opportunities for the Police. All of these are designed to give a new orientation to the Nigeria Police and effectively position it to play its critical role in stabilizing security across the country and restoring civil authority in the North-East.

With today’s event, effect is being given to the initiative of the Federal Government to enhance the deployment of Police assets to the North East consequent upon the steady progress that has recently been made in the reinvigorated counterterrorism warfare by the Military. It is the expectation of the Federal Government that with the acquisition of these operational assets the capacity of the Police to support the process of reintegrating Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s), restoring the criminal justice system and institutions and the gradual reconstruction, reintegration and restoration of citizens’ confidence in government in the North East will be engendered.

It is also my expectation that with the planned expansion and strengthening of the operations of the Safer Highway Patrol Scheme and the launch of the ‘Safer City Patrol’ initiative, the challenge of kidnapping, armed robbery and other organized crimes which have been threatening our national security will now be more effectively addressed.

Above all, it is my expectation that the Nigeria Police Law Complex which is also being commissioned today – as part of initiatives directed at repositioning the legal department of the Police -, will stimulate the integration of rule of law values in the Nigeria Police and enhance the ability of police prosecutors to function optimally in the administration of criminal justice delivery.

At this juncture, I will like to recognize and appreciate the support of the Ag. Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for complementing the Federal Government in donating some operational vehicles to enhance the capacity of the Police in securing the Niger Delta region. It is my conviction that this intervention will in no small measure enhance the operational capacity of the Police in dealing with the challenge of kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and murder which have become a matter of serious concern.

Let me also acknowledge the sacrifice of Police Officers deployed to the front line along with the Military in the offensive against Terrorists and others that have paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of other internal security engagements across the country.

I also acknowledge the commitment of the Force Leadership as they strive to ensure that normalcy is restored to the North-East and across the country. I particularly commend the thoughtfulness of the Inspector-General of Police, in providing to the Force an ultra-modern law building and in being resilient in his drive to professionalize the Nigeria Police Force.

On this note, I will like to encourage personnel of the Force to remain courageous, but professional in the discharge of their duties, while being assured of the support and commitment of the Federal Government in ensuring the provision of all necessary logistics, towards the eventual realization of a fully stabilized secured and safe country.

May God continue to protect our nation. God bless Nigeria.



Quote

"Any nation that is desirous of national security, economic development, and democratic ethos must of necessity, be determined to evolve a potent but citizen-friendly, and rule-of-law compliant police Force.  It is for this reason that Mr. President approved the recruitment of 10,000 additional police personnel, with extra-budgetary attention extended to the Police."