Former inspector-general of police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba (rtd) has said he left the Nigeria Police Force better than he met it on his appointment in 2021.
“As I exit the leadership of the Force today, I believe that I am leaving it better than I met it. I believe that I have added value to policing in Nigeria,’’ he said while handing over the rein of authority to the newly-appointed Acting IGP, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
Baba said he had set out to positively change policing narratives in Nigeria by laying out well-articulated vision and mission objectives upon his appointment.
The former I-G said he had pledged to address the welfare concerns of serving and retired officers and enhance the operational capacity of the Force through the procurement of critical operational assets.
He said he also set out to reposition special detachments of the Force, particularly the Marine and Air wings, the Special Forces, Police Mobile Force, Counterterrorism Unit and the Special Protection Unit. He added that he also strove to enhance the intelligence capacity of the Force through the push for the Cam Scanner upgrade of the Technical Intelligence assets.
I am convinced that steady progress has been made in all components of my promise to change policing narratives and restore the dwindling police primacy within the internal security architecture of the country. We might not be there yet, but certainly the pathways have been clearly defined; firm foundations built, and giant strides taken. These are for the new leadership to leverage on in the quest for a better Police Force,’’ he stressed.
