December 12, (THEWILL) – The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in Charge of Zone 16, comprising Bayelsa and Rivers States, AIG Paul Odama, has averred that corruption thrives in Nigeria because the police are not doing their job as it should.
The AIG said the Police, with the mandate to arrest, apprehend, detain and prosecute have the powers to fight corruption, however, the Police Force must first cleanse itself from corruption before fighting corruption.
AIG Odama, who made the remarks at the Police Headquarters in Yenagoa, yesterday, while addressing the rank and file of the command, warned against corruption, adding that the Police management team has zero tolerance for corruption.
While commending the Officers and men, for a successful outing during the last concluded governorship elections, he warned the officers and men against drunkenness on duty and indiscipline, adding that discipline is the epitome of the police force.
The AIG, who was flanked by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Alonyenu Idu, said: “If the Police are doing their job, there will be no bribery and corruption in Nigeria because that is our mandate, we have the right to arrest, apprehend, to detain and prosecute.
“So if the Police are doing their job, there will be no problem of corruption in Nigeria and before we can arrest anyone corrupt, we must also have to clean ourselves, because he who goes to equity must go with clean hands. We must be mindful of that, I know your CP and DPO have been speaking to you about it and the Force management team has zero tolerance for corruption.
“Some Police Officer go and get themselves drunk while on duty, remember the social media is there and by the time your CP and IGP sees you on social media drunk, of course you know what to do, just park your things and go.
“You are drunk and you are in patrol and you have your gun with you. Don’t forget Section 237, as amended on when you use your firearms. You are drunk and you forget that Section, so ensure that you are not drunk because that will prevent you from accidental discharge. While you are on duty you are not expected to drink.
“Discipline is the bedrock of the Force, I know every CP, Area Commander, AIG, and IG that comes for lectures must always talk about discipline because without discipline there is no Nigeria Police Force. That is why the Police are formed hierarchically.
“I don’t want a situation where a DSP will insult an SP and indiscipline will have to start in your homes. Discipline includes; the way you dress, talk and even the way you drive your vehicles because some of the Police Officers even drive against the traffic. If you drive against traffic, that means you are indisciplined, so you have to check yourself. Discipline and indiscipline involve your entire life. As a Police Officer, you are expected to be the epitome of discipline.”
In his welcome remark, the Commissioner of Police, CP Alonyenu Idu, appealed to the Inspector General of Police to approve the construction of a befitting command headquarters for the State, lamenting that the State Command is still squatting in a dilapidated former party secretariat.
He maintained that the construction of a befitting Police headquarters, would provide a conducive working environment and serve as a morale booster for the command.
