The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba, has warned police personnel in the country against extortion and other acts of indiscipline.
Baba gave the warning while addressing policemen yesterday, at the Police Headquarters in Gombe. He said discipline and professionalism were the bedrock of policing, as such, the service would not condone any act of corruption and indiscipline. The I-G, therefore, told the police personnel to live up to expectations or lose their jobs.
Baba described extortion as a criminal offence, adding that “it’s serious and next to armed robbery, and such acts have no place in the police.” The I-G said he dismissed three policemen in the last three weeks for irresponsible behaviours.
“Any policeman holding a gun and extorting people on the road is no different from an armed robber, and we cannot be glorified armed robbers,” he warned.
The I-G, however, commended police personnel working hard to ensure security in the state and the country as a whole. He urged them to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, including collaboration with traditional and community leaders, to enhance security and peace across the country.
The police boss directed the Gombe State Command to ensure the training and retraining of all personnel to keep them professionally fit to serve the nation better.