MAIDEN SPEECH BY THE 17TH INDIGENOUS INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE, IGP SULEIMAN A. ABBA, NPM, mni, 1st AUGUST, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my distinct honor to stand before you as your new Inspector
General of Police. I'm both excited and humbled by this privilege to
serve this outstanding and distinguished organization and our country,
Nigeria.

I want to thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, and the
people of Nigeria for the confidence reposed in me, and for the
opportunity to become an active participant and leader in the fight
against crime in our great country.

I have been in the service of the Nigeria Police Force for almost 30
years, and I can say with all certainty that it is one of the noblest
professions of humanity to undertake. I have gained valuable insight
and experience to appreciate the challenges the Police and the country
are facing. It is based on these experiences that I intend to
formulate a vision and strategy for leading the Force to its prime.

My experience teaches me that policing has changed, and is still
changing. Policing is no more about arresting, investigating and
prosecution only. The responsibility of the Police in a democracy
transcends these traditional roles, to expectations in ensuring a
stable democracy, conducive to good governance; creating an enabling
environment for economic development; and providing acceptable basic
service delivery for the people of our country.

At this juncture, I want to thank my predecessors, especially the
immediate past IGP, M.D. Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, for their commitment
to the Nigeria Police Force and, especially to the nation; and for
laying a solid foundation for policing in Nigeria. Whilst it is not
our intention to reinvent the wheel, we intend to build on those
positive aspects that are firmly entrenched and to reinvigorate those
areas where giant strides are expected.

It is, however, also necessary to give attention to specific issues
that are of critical concern to the nation and the police.

As the leading law enforcement institution in Nigeria, the Nigeria
Police Force is daily in the limelight. Whatever we do, and do not do,
attracts attention. However, as a progressive organization, we take
very kindly criticisms and accept the responsibility to address our
challenges and remedy our shortcomings. The plain truth remains that
no one is more critical of the Nigeria Police Force than itself. Our
leadership shall be self-searching,as we continually aspire to keep
our country safe by working with, for and through the communities.

The recent upsurge in security challenges will have my full attention.
I am committed to address these issues and reaffirm the high standards
of performance for which the Nigeria Police is nationally and
internationallyacclaimed.

In consonance with the President's Transformation Agenda, I will
develop and implement constructive policing strategies for the
maintenance of a stable democracy and economic growth.

My team will also ensure that:

* Policing becomes truly intelligence-led;

* Law enforcement and crime prevention initiatives are integrated and
supportive of each other;

* Police service delivery and maximum impact are achieved with least
in-convinience to the people;

* The Nigeria Police Force focuses on priorities, and that resources
are diligently managed and equitably distributed in terms of these
priorities;

* Community policing partnerships and relationships are built with
communities, and that communities become an integral component of our
policing approach;

* The Nigeria Police Force is re-aligned, through restructuring,
devolvement and delegation of powers to ensure efficient
implementation of public safety policies;

* Effective policing in target areas is made sustainable, and that
capacity development is sustained so that we do not engage in "fire
fighting exercises"; and

* Senior police officers are held accountable for their actions and
inactions, by means of performance contracts and indicators, with
clear deliverables which will be closely monitored.

To my fellow police officers, I have learned over the years that it is
desirable for all police officers to always exhibit professional
humanitarianismin the discharge of duty. This makes the police more
respected and acceptable within the community. Therefore, placing a
high priority on compassion in the course of policing our communities
is what I advocate to officers.

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