Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Kayode Egbetokun, has said that the police will work more on gathering security information for the upcoming 2023 general election.
Egbetokun made the disclosure during his familiarization visit with the Federal Capital Territory Police Command on Wednesday.
He noted that police officers are the strategic managers for the provision of adequate security for the election.
Egbetokun said: “In addition to being the lead agency for internal security, the NPF is also the lead agency for managing election security as stipulated in the relevant sections of the 2020 Electoral Law.
“There is room for improvement; modern surveillance is intelligence-based, community-based, and technology-driven. So we need to work harder to improve our intelligence capability.
“We must improve visibility surveillance. The recent deployment of recently passed out police conscripts is a huge boost in this regard. We must maintain a strategic partnership with other security agencies and other stakeholders.”
In addition, he ordered the FCT Police Command to intensify stop and search operations, while urging police officers to respect human rights and avoid extortion in the performance of their duties.
He added: “FCT management recently assisted the command with 20 new operational vehicles equipped with communication devices. We must correspond to this gesture by fulfilling our functions in a professional, responsible manner and expanding our service provision.
“We must improve traffic control within the FCT. Traffic officers must be alert to ensure the flow of traffic within the FCT. We must reinvigorate stop and search, effectively deal with black spots, and keep up with the current pace in raiding criminal hideouts.
“Waste collection has been prohibited within the FCT and we must not allow them to continue to operate.”
Speaking to reporters during the AIG visit, FCT Police Commissioner Sadiq Abubakar said the Command had developed and implemented operational strategies to combat crime. He said the development fulfilled the vision and mission of Police Inspector General Usman Baba.
Abubakar said: “The operational policies and strategies employed by the command have led to the arrest of 18 armed robbery suspects and the recovery of 1,159 exhibits, including weapons and ammunition of various calibers, illicit drugs and other harmful weapons, and vehicles.
“In addition, 24 hostages were rescued by commando operatives, and have been reunited with their families.”
