IGP raises alarm over rising killings of police officers nationwide

By Chinedu Adonu

ENUGU – The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Disu, has expressed concern over the increasing number of police officers being killed in the line of duty, saying the Force continues to record casualties while battling insecurity across the country.

Speaking in Enugu on Tuesday during the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Forensic and Investigation Centre built by Godfrey Okoye University in collaboration with Enugu State government, the IGP said police personnel have continued to make sacrifices in the fight against crime, insurgency and banditry.

“We are trying our best, and we are losing our men while doing it,” he lamented.

Disu recalled the recent death of three officers of the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit in Maiduguri, who were killed while attempting to detonate an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by insurgents.

According to him, the officers ignored advice to postpone the operation until the next day because they wanted to prevent possible loss of civilian lives.

“They were dedicated officers who wanted to save lives. Unfortunately, they fell into the trap laid by the insurgents, and we lost them,” he said.

The police boss, however, assured Nigerians that security agencies were working tirelessly to tackle insecurity across the country.

“We are not sleeping on our oars. We are working day and night. What we are doing may not be made public, but very soon Nigerians will hear good news,” he stated.

On preparations for future elections, the IGP said the Nigeria Police Force remained fully committed to ensuring peaceful, credible and violence-free polls.

He noted that the Force had successfully played its role in the recent elections and would continue to train personnel to adapt to emerging electoral laws and security challenges.

“As the lead agency in election security, we must continue to update our thinking and procedures,” he said.

Speaking on the debate over state police, Disu disclosed that the Force had already developed a framework on the issue, which has been submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.

He added that contributions from the Nigeria Police Force had featured prominently in ongoing discussions on policing reforms.

Addressing concerns over manpower shortages raised by the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, the IGP admitted that the Force was currently overstretched.

“I will not come here and tell you that I have enough men. We do not have enough personnel,” he said.

He revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the recruitment of 50,000 police personnel, noting that the process was already at the medical screening stage.

According to him, police training institutions have been refurbished ahead of the exercise, while plans are underway to recruit even more officers beyond the approved number.

Disu also pledged to increase police manpower in Enugu State following discussions with Governor Peter Mbah, who recently procured additional operational vehicles for security agencies.

“The governor has acquired a large number of vehicles, and we need personnel to deploy them. I have given him my assurance that we will increase manpower in Enugu to sustain the relative peace being enjoyed in the state,” the IGP said.

Earlier, the IGP explained that his visit to Enugu was primarily to commission the newly built forensic facility by Godfrey Okoye University, which he described as one of the most advanced in Africa and a major boost to criminal investigations and security operations in Nigeria.

Welcoming the IGP to Enugu and the Command headquarters, the Enugu Commissioner of Police, CP Bitrus Mamman Giwa, informed him of the challenges they are facing.

Giwa pointed out that most of the challenging facing them is inadequate manpower owing to retirements and transfers without replacement.

Giwa, who reeled out achievements made by the Command between March and June, had this to say: “notwithstanding the progress recorded, the Command continues to face certain operational challenges, particularly in the areas of inadequate manpower and shortages resulting mostly from individual personnel transfers without replacement, logistics, mobility, and personnel welfare.

“These constraints occasionally impact optimal deployment and operational coverage, especially in rural communities, agrarian settlements, and other difficult terrains of the State. Nevertheless, the Command remains resolute and unwavering in its determination to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order, and ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Enugu State.

“Please, sir, permit me to respectfully express our profound appreciation for your exemplary leadership, clear policy direction, and unwavering commitment to the transformation of the Nigeria Police Force. Your strategic interventions and support have continued to strengthen the operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency of Departments, Formations and Commands nationwide, including the Enugu State Command.

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