The Inspector-General of Police Usman Baba, on Wednesday, likened police officers extorting motorists to armed robbery, warning that the force under his control would not tolerate such demeaning actions.
Baba made this disclosure at the Gombe State Police Command Headquarters as part of his two-day familiarisation visit to the state.
The police force under Baba’s leadership recently dismissed three policemen following misconduct, which he said, was against the principles guiding the institution’s existence.
While clarifying the reasons behind their dismissal, Baba said, “It’s (extortion) serious and next to armed robbery, and such acts have no place in the police.
“Any policeman holding a gun and extorting people on the road is no different from an armed robber and we cannot be having glorified armed robbers.”
Baba stressed the need for the entrenchment of discipline, stressing that it was the bedrock of any organisation.
Baba noted that it was required for officers to show themselves needed respect, especially in a regimented agency.
He noted that punishment and rewards are two necessary things, adding that it was not in his interest to punish people.
“Discipline is the bedrock of the police and the bedrock of other organisations that is why your hand is up when you see someone higher shoulder-wise not age. I’m not the oldest policeman here but I’m the number policeman,” Baba added.
He revealed that the social media embargo was geared at ending unauthorised information, to ensure coordination in the force.
Speaking earlier, the state’s Police Commissioner, Ishola Babaita, explained the need for training and capacity building of officers, revealing that the command had embarked on a few geared towards improving the rank and file.
He said, “I wish to inform the Inspector General of Police that the command has engaged in a series of capacity building, and local training for personnel of the Command, especially for the middle cadre and lower ranking officers.
“These include; Digital literacy and computer operational skills which were conducted in collaboration between the Command and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Northeast Zonal ICT Hub, Gombe. A total number of 100 officers and men serving in Gombe State Command benefitted from this skill acquisition.”
