Corruption: Don’t bring returns to my office, IG of Police Egbetokun warns police officers
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has said that he is not expecting returns from any police officer, charging them to be diligent in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, Paul Ojeka Odama, who conveyed this message to the officers during a working visit to Oyo Police Command, Ibadan on Wednesday, advised them to shun any act capable of tarnishing the image of the Force.
The IGP, according to him, made his stance known on the issue of corruption.
He said, “The police is a noble profession. It stands for Justice of peace. The officers must guide against any act capable of tarnishing the good image of the Force.
“There is a new Sheriff in town. He is the IGP. He has always reiterated his commitment to zero tolerance for corruption.
“He leads by example. His records are there as the Commissioner of Police, Kwara state and other places where he had served in various capacities.
“You are not being sent to the field to bring any returns but to discharge your duties as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“Disciplined officers will not indulge in the collection of bribes from motorists. It is even ridiculous that commercial drivers are collecting money from the passengers to bribe the police. This ignoble act must stop.
“You must carry out your assignment with the fear of God as well as apply law in the course of discharging your duty.”
Continuing, the IGP also warned police officers to be mindful of their engagement on social media, especially in the area of sharing posts.
According to him, “you must verify information before sharing it in order not to misinform the public or aggravate tension in your respective domains.
“You must be properly guided in the course of sharing information You must distance yourselves from sharing cum spreading falsehood.”
He also harped on the need for police officers to be well dressed at and outside their respective places of primary assignments, adding that the way they dress is the same way they will be addressed.
The police, according to him, have three pairs of uniforms with each for specific days, noting that “with this arrangement, officers have no reason to dress shabbily while on duty.”
He also harped on the need for the officers to take good care of their respective families by guiding against frivolous spending that will profit them nothing.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner of Police, Adebola Hamzat, had attributed the security success recorded in the state to the synergy between the Police and sister agencies.
CP Hamzat, who assured the newly posted AIG of the Command’s support, said his officers would continue to discharge their duty in accordance with the law.
He also commended Governor Seyi Makinde and the Indigenes of the state for the continuous support to the Command.
