The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun, on Friday, vowed that any assault on police officers will receive commensurate response.
He said this in Enugu while expressing displeasure on the number of police officers that have been killed by criminal elements.
Egbetokun, who was in Enugu police headquarters on a one-day official visit, said that they would not tolerate any form of assault or killing of police personnel any longer.
The IGP said that this year, they were determined to wipe out crimes and criminality, adding that they would make sure that criminals that were dislodged from the Southeast zone do not return to carry out their dastard acts.
The police boss said they would do everything humanly possible to see that criminals get it hot this year, pointing out that they are focused and determined to achieve their objective.
“We’ll not tolerate any assault on our police officers, not to talk of killing. Any assault on policemen is criminal. It is an assault on police IGP. We are not going to take it kindly on any assault on our officers.
“We’ll not tolerate it anymore. In 2025, we are going to say no to assault on our police. We are going to say capital no to killing of our men.
“This year 2025, we are going to approach the year with determination. Determination to stamp out criminals. The ones that have been chased out will not be allowed to return,” he said and assured the Enugu State Police Command that he would support them with every resource and modern security gadgets.
“I am going to support the Command with everything and resources at our disposal so that the achievements you have recorded will not be tampered with and you record more achievements.
“In this year, we going to vigorously pursue our police vision for Nigeria. We shall emphasize professionalism. We shall emphasize ethical conduct of our officers. We shall emphasize training and retraining of officers.
“We’ll equip you with modern policing tools to discharge your duties effectively,” he added.
The IGP said he would make sure that the welfare of officers was taken serious, noting that, “no IGP will neglect the welfare of the officers.”
Earlier, the Police Chief visited Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State where he commended the efforts of the governor in the security of lives and property as well as the overall development of the state.
“I want to start by expressing our profound appreciation to the Governor of Enugu State for the support that you have given to the Nigeria Police Force in our quest to provide and ensure Peace and Security in Enugu State. Your commitment to our shared goal of a safer Nigeria is truly commendable.
“You are doing great things in Enugu State. The report I have been getting in Enugu has been truly good. I am very happy and glad to hear the force of work you are doing in the state to ensure that the people of Enugu State enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“Importantly, I congratulate you on your giant strides in the area of security and in other areas.
“I am pleased to note that the collaboration between the Nigeria Police and Enugu State Government has continued to yield excellent results; and we are determined to build on this success.
“In this year 2025, I want to let you know that we are committed to pursuing our policing vision more vigorously. We will prioritise community engagement. We will prioritise professionalism and emphasis ethical conduct of our officers.
“I am very confident that with your support we are going to overcome all the challenges that we are facing presently and ensure that Nigeria becomes safer for all of us,” he said.
Speaking, Governor Mbah thanked the IGP for the strong support given to his administration to fight crime and secure lives and property.
“We cannot thank you enough for the interest you have shown and continued to show in the security matters of Enugu State.
“You may not have been here before now, but from the outset, we have felt your presence here because you have provided us with all the support, both material and human, that we need to fight the challenges of insecurity to a standstill.
“We had a meeting on how to address the security challenges in Enugu and without sparing any time, you provided us with all the support to ensure we have special forces here. You provided us with the equipment.
“This is very important to us because the plan we have to grow our economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion could only happen with security in place.
“Businesses can deal with financial risk and commercial risk, but cannot deal with security risks; which is why we thought that for that growth to materialise, we will provide security. So, you have been a very strong pillar of support to the government,” he stated.
