The new Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has vowed to rid the system of corruption, abuse of power and take necessary action against any form of misconduct from personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF.
Egbetokun, who stated this at the official handing over ceremony, held, Tuesday, in Abuja, noted that the need to tackle corruption and abuse of power within the system came on the heels of the prolonged public deep-rooted concerns and grievances against the police.
He said: “I acknowledge our citizen’s deep-rooted concerns and grievances against the police. It is no secret that the Nigerian police force has faced its fair share of criticism in the past. Instances of misconduct, corruption and abuse of power have eroded public trust. I am before you today to declare that such behaviour will not be tolerated under my watch, and there will be proactive steps to instil discipline across the ranks.
“Accountability will be the cornerstone of my tenure as Inspector General of Police. I am committed to fostering a culture of professionalism, integrity, and respect within the police force.
“We prioritize new ways of recruiting, training and equipping our officers to ensure they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their duties effectively, efficiently and with excellence and this will do to the admiration of the people that we serve. To regain the trust of the Nigerian people. We will establish a robust internal system to investigate allegations of misconduct within the police force.
“We will hold accountable those who betrayed the public trust in us, ensuring that they face the full force of the law. Additionally, we will actively promote a working culture that will encourage officers and citizens alike to report instances of corruption or abuse they may witness.