Senate President Godswill Akpabio has voiced his concerns over police corruption, urging Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun to purge the force of dishonest officers. Akpabio made these remarks during the inaugural Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations Ceremony in Abuja.
In his address, Akpabio commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in organizing the event and emphasized the importance of celebrating the achievements of individual officers. He stressed the need for ethical regeneration within the force and highlighted the challenges posed by evolving crime trends and sophisticated criminal networks.
Akpabio stated, “Let us not ignore the challenges faced by the police in Nigeria. The ever-evolving landscape of crime and the increasing sophistication of criminal gangs pose significant obstacles.”
He urged for a concerted effort to address these challenges and emphasized the importance of weeding out corrupt officers, stating, “As we honor the good officers, let us weed out the bad ones because a chain is as strong as its weakest link.”
Akpabio pledged the full cooperation and support of the National Assembly for improving policing in Nigeria, recognizing the crucial role of a well-equipped and motivated police force in ensuring the security and well-being of citizens.
He concluded by congratulating the awardees for their outstanding performance and commitment to service, reminding them that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
In addition to recognizing excellence in policing, posthumous awards were presented to the seven police personnel killed in the line of duty in Delta State. Akpabio, on behalf of the Nigeria Police, announced financial support for the families of the deceased, with additional contributions from the Senate and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Senator Kashim Shettima commended Akpabio and Governor Yusuf for their support to the affected families, acknowledging their “show of empathy” in the face of tragedy.
