The Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has expressed his administration’s readiness for the groundwork towards the enhancement of the Police Reform and Transformation Office (PORTO) – a Presidential initiative aimed at supporting the root and branch reform efforts of the Nigeria Police Force.

L-R, PORTO coordinator Tunji Lardner and IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

The IGP, according to the Force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the statement on Wednesday, 26th July, 2023, in his office at the Force Headquarters, when the coordinator of PORTO, Mr. Tunji Lardner, led some other officials of the office on a courtesy visit to the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

The IGP reiterated that PORTO serves as a catalyst for change and transformation within the NPF, encompassing various measures such as comprehensive training, enhanced logistics support, and modernization of policing practices.

“Under the visionary leadership of the IGP, the Nigeria Police Force recognizes the need for progressive reforms to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and public trust in the Police Force. PORTO is designed to champion these reforms, bringing about a new era of professionalism, accountability, and service excellence. Through targeted training, officers will receive the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively tackle modern-day challenges and ensure the protection and safety of all citizens”, Adejobi stated.

Mr. Lardner, in his response reassured the IGP that the mandate of PORTO encompasses an overhaul of logistics support systems to provide officers with the tools and resources they need to carry out their duties effectively.

While briefing the IGP on their support to the Police so far, he confirmed that PORTO has concluded plans to harness all its resources to fulfill its mandate for transforming and repositioning the police as expected.

According to Adejobi, the Inspector General of Police called on all stakeholders, including the public, civil society organizations, and the media, to support and engage with the PORTO initiative as the NPF remains resolute in its commitment to delivering exceptional service, upholding the rule of law, and fostering a culture of accountability within the police force.

 

NIS Ag. Comptroller General, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, presents a fleet of buses to officers to ease the transportation burden.

Consequent upon the recent hike in transport fares caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, the acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, has taken a significant step to ease the burden on officers and men of the service by presenting a fleet of buses for their transportation needs.

According to a statement on Monday, 24 July 2023, the initiative was part of her dedicated welfare package plans aimed at improving the lives of personnel.

At a brief ceremony held at the NIS Service Headquarters in Abuja,  the acting CGI officially handed over the buses to the Officers and Men of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

During her address, she stressed the importance of supporting and uplifting the welfare of the personnel, recognizing their dedicated service to the nation.

“The provision of these buses is expected to ameliorate the financial challenges posed by the recent increase in transport fare and ensure a more comfortable and affordable commuting experience for our staff” she said.

The Acting CGI revealed that additional buses are already being procured to cover major routes within Abuja. She also expressed her commitment to extending this initiative to other state Commands across the country.

Ag. CGI  Adepoju admonished the bus drivers to uphold the highest level of commitment and diligence in their duties.

She emphasized the importance of adhering to the speed limit of 60km/h, ensuring the safety and security of the personnel during their travels.

Moreover, the acting CGI called upon all officers and men of the Nigeria Immigration Service to personally take responsibility for the proper maintenance and care of the provided buses.

This collective effort will ensure the longevity of the vehicles and enable the NIS to sustain this beneficial initiative in the long term” she added.

 

AIG Zone 2, Ali Mohammed Ari declares war against Criminals, Renewed Hope for Ogun Residents.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police overseeing the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands, AIG Ali Mohammed Ari visited the Eleweran Abeokuta Police Command on a one day operational work visit, to get first hand assessment of the incident of kidnap of a former Provost of the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta in Ogun State. Also to create more capacity development to use against the criminals disturbing the remote undeveloped areas of Ogun State.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in a roundtable security talk with CP Alamutu Abiodun Msustapha, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, engaged him on the techniques to end kidnappings in remote areas of Ogun State.

In one of the AIG’s strategies according to SP Omolola Odutola the Ogun State Police PRO, he emphasized the importance of policemen getting closer to the local communities and by building relationships with villagers and engaging with them, the communication gap between the police and locals can be bridged.

He stated further that establishing a strong connection with local communities is vital for fostering cooperation between the police and the residents.

On this basis, the AIG emphasized that building relationships with the local hunters, who possess valuable knowledge about the forest and its surroundings, is particularly important. By creating an environment of trust and collaboration, the police can encourage these local hunters to willingly provide information that can assist in their efforts to maintain law and order.

The AIG emphasised on the importance of synergy and cooperation between policemen and other security agencies in combating kidnapping and other crimes.

Recognizing that addressing such challenges requires a collective effort, he emphasized the need for seamless coordination and collaboration among various security forces.

By working together towards a common goal, the aim is to overcome the issue of kidnapping and other criminal activities, ensuring the safety and security of the community.

The AIG advised the Tactical units deployed to enhance the efficiency of police operations should focus on conducting raids on suspected hideouts and tracking down criminals. They are also to patrol suspected hideouts, provide hourly situation reports, and collaborate with other security forces.

He said, this coordinated effort will significantly reduce unnecessary attacks on incident people and will also enhance overall security measures already put in place.

The Commissioner of Police Ogun State, CP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha in his reassuring response to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, said the remote villages are already policed but more efforts will be engineered in the areas of adequate patrols to disperse group clustering in black spots as well as to intensify intelligence gathering from locals to checkmate the recent spike in kidnappings, he affirmed that under his watch the syndicates and their informants who have continued to prey on the innocent residents to kidnap for ransome would be given sufficient attention, and the criminals will never go unpunished.

However, the CP told the AIG that the Federal College of Education has made an official report about their colleague being kidnapped and that all efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims alive as he already promised.

The PPRO stated that the Commissioner of Police, once again assured the residents of Ogun State of the commitment of the police to tackle the issue of kidnapping in the state so that they can carry out their daily lawful activities without fear.

In conclusion, the CP once again expressed confidence in the apprehension and accountability of the criminals responsible for the kidnapping of the provost in the soonest time possible and the commitment of the police to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Commissioner of Police Ogun State, Alamutu, thus reassures the public that every effort will be made to ensure that those involved in the crime are held accountable for their actions.

 

Public Auction To Begin As Tinubu Approves Customs Request To Decongest Apapa, Other Ports.

The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi has revealed that President Ahmed Tinubu has granted approval to decongest ports in Nigeria.

 

    Acting Comptroller-General of                      Customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi

Adeniyi further explained that the decongestion process will involve a combination of public auctions and the transfer of some containers to the Government Warehouse in Ikorodu, according to a statement by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada.

Adeniyi who met with the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state is strategic in the operations of the service as it controls 70 to 75 percent of the service’s total revenue collection.

He assured the Governor of the Services’ commitment to operate within the framework of the law and supported his drive to make Lagos a mega city.

He said, “We followed your attempt; you made serious efforts to make Lagos a smart city. The least we can do as a responsible Agency of Government is complement your efforts in sustainable development.

“And in the very short time that I have been in Office, we started to review our various operations to ensure that they align with your vision of making Lagos work for Lagosians.

“We just secured a presidential approval to undertake decongestion at our ports, using a combination of public auction and transferring some of the containers to the Government Warehouse in Ikorodu.

“I’ve visited all the facilities and very soon, while working with all the stakeholders, we will be able to kickstart this process and create the space necessary inside the port and around the premises of the port.”
While receiving his guests, Governor Sanwo-Olu congratulates the Ag. CGC on his appointment and pledged his commitment to continue to provide a good working environment for business to thrive.

He stated that approval for a Badagry port had been secured. “I want to assure you that Lagos and Lagosians will continue to give you that hospitality where business can thrive and Officers can do their work without fear or favour.

“I also need to inform your that there’s an approval for a Badagry port. The whole idea is to build strategic infrastructure for our citizens; Lekki is on the eastern part, badagry is on the western part so that we can decongest Apapa and Tin-can that have stretched their capacity.

“These are some of the things that will ensure that investments come in, that will ensure that businesses can move in and out and we can begin to compete with some of the biggest and nice ports that we see all around the world.

“I believe it’s a collaborative effort. I equally believe it’s a work in progress that can improve the turnaround all around the ports”, he concluded.