Officers and men of the Nigerian Police force have been cautioned by President Bola Tinubu not to intimidate or mistreat the people they are hired to protect, emphasising that they must enforce the rule of law and condemn any wrongdoing.
This was said by Tinubu during Wednesday night’s second annual IGP Award and Commendation ceremony in Abuja. Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, represented the president.
“Be reminded that the power you wield is not for intimidation but for protection. It is not for abuse but for service. You must be guided by the highest standards of accountability and professionalism,” he said.
“Uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of every citizen, and reject all forms of misconduct and corruption. Only then can we build a police force that is truly respected and trusted by the people it serves.”
Disclosing that “the federal government will continue to do its part”, he said, “I must also charge every police officer, regardless of rank or posting, to uphold the sacred trust bestowed upon you by the Nigerian people.
“We will continue to invest in the provision of cutting-edge equipment, technological support, capacity-building programmes and welfare schemes aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and boosting morale across the ranks.
“This administration remains steadfast in its commitment to the transformation of the Nigeria Police Force. We understand that modern policing demands modern tools, continuous training, intelligence-led strategies, and community partnership.
“To our award recipients tonight, I congratulate you warmly. You have made the nation proud. You have reminded us of what is possible when duty meets dedication and when service is driven by honour.
“But I urge you, do not rest on your laurels. Let this recognition spur you to even greater heights. Let your example inspire others within the Force to emulate your discipline, your hard work, your professionalism, and your integrity.
In his welcome remarks, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun said, “We are not blind to the challenges that face us. From terrorism to cybercrime, kidnapping to organised criminal networks – the threats are evolving, and so the Police must embrace innovation, harness digital intelligence, adopt global best practices, and train relentlessly. The future of policing in Nigeria must be smarter, faster, more trusted, and unapologetically people-focused.
Some of those honoured at the award ceremony were CP Ifeanyi Henry Uche, Director, Nigerian Police Cyber Crime Centre, DCP Ahmed Lateef, Principal Staff Officer to IGP, and SP Josephine Adeh, Police PRO, FCT Command.
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