Following the kidnap of two senior officers, the Police Inspector General, Ibrahim Idris has told policemen to save the Force from “embarrassment” by putting their safety first.
IGP Idris said it is only by so doing that the policemen will be able to protect the ordinary citizens.
Mr Idris said this during a meeting with Police Commissioners and other senior officers in Abuja.
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“You can only protect others when you are protected because you are a target,” he said.
“There should be more visibility policing. Policemen should be deployed in flashpoint areas to take care of security because the presence of police in those areas would help in the reduction of crime.
“We must take the protection of our officers seriously. We have a problem; two days ago, one of our DPOs was kidnapped. How can you be a DPO, you have all the policemen under your command and then you start driving as if you don’t have anybody.
“You allow the useless kidnappers to pick you and your orderly, it is very embarrassing. We had the same issue in Zamfara state where an ACP going on leave travelled alone. It is embarrassing.
“The information we are receiving is that our ACP’s vehicle was abandoned in a bush and he has not been seen which obviously means that he has been kidnapped. How can we be living with such situation? It is becoming an embarrassment. DPOs and other personnel should be careful of their movement.
“Our officers have to be concerned about their personal safety first because this issue is becoming an embarrassment. CPs would also be vicariously liable for any policeman that is just picked up like a fowl or anything, it is very annoying,” he said.