President Bola Tinubu has charged the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olutunji Disu, to go all out against criminal elements across the country.
The president gave the charge on Wednesday at the swearing-in and decoration of Disu at the State House, Abuja.
Tinubu expressed confidence in the capacity of Disu to steer the ship of the Nigeria Police Force.
The president stated that he believed in Disu’s dedication and committed to duty when he (president) was the Governor of Lagos State.
He added that the appointment is coming at a defining moment for national security.
“You have my full support to crush criminal elements across the country. You assume this responsibility at a defining moment for our nation’s security.
“I expect you to strengthen discipline, enhance inter-agency collaboration and restore peace,” he said.
Responding, Disu said his immediate task is to strengthen the morale of personnel of the Police Force, to enable them tackle insecurity.
Disu, who noted that his appointment came at the time he was not expecting it, said: “It came at a time I was not expecting it. That makes me give thanks to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his magnanimity to see me fit to be appointed as the Inspector General of police.
“The President mentioning a lot of activities about me, mentioning areas I have worked, mentioning successes I’ve recorded as a policeman, brought emotion to me, almost brought me to tears.
“It shows the President took his time to monitor officers working everywhere in the country, and then it shows the President was throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for, and ensure that I bring peace to the country.
Speaking on his priority, Disu said he will strengthen the morale of the Police officers as well as tackle corruption in the force to ensure peace across the country.
He also expressed the need to build stronger relationships with the citizens and men of the Nigeria Police
“My top priority is the first lecture I’m going to have with my men. I’m going to talk to them, let them know that the citizen, the citizen of the country and the boss.
“It’s very, very important for them to know that no police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public. I’m going to ensure that I take their welfare into consideration, because people who are motivated put in their best.
“I will let them know that the era of impunity is over. I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to ensure they follow human rights.
“I will ensure they follow a regime of zero tolerance to corruption, and most importantly, I’m going to drum it into them that we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public”.
Disu who acknowledged that the country is facing insurgency, added however, that the police officers have been doing their best,
” They are hardworking people. All I need to do is to channel their morale and their thoughts to make everything better”