The Federal Government,on Thursday, said it is considering an increase in the salaries and allowances of the police in line with the force mechanized salary scheme.
Aside, it also disclosed that more and better equipment that would enhance the performance of the police have been purchased and waiting to be deployed.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, dropped this hint yesterday at the flag-off of the South-West Sensitization campaign on Police Complaint Committee, in Lagos, said Government is committed to entrenching a police that has respect for the rule of law.
Dingyadi said a memo to that effect is before the Federal Executive Council waiting for approval.
The Minister noted that though, the morale of the average policeman might be below after the EnSars protest, but that government was working assiduously in ensuring that the policeman is happy and to also restore the confidence which Nigerians have for them.
According to him, the flag-off Sensitization campaign is to reaffirm the supremacy of service above all forms of parochial interest capable of compromising Nigeria’s collective aspiration for effective policing, to enhance the safety of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria.
He said the PPCC initiative is in furtherance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s quest to achieve people centric security arrangements, which according to him, would prioritizes respect for citizens’ rights, address genuine cases of infractions to promote inclusiveness in policing arrangements to advance peace and security for national development.
“Following the directive of Mr. President, I inaugurated the resuscitated Police Public Complaints Committee in Abuja on April 7, 2021, to among others bridge the gap between the police and the populace to elicit sustainable confidence and mutual cooperation.
“Our gathering here this afternoon also dovetail the lessons learnt from last year’s #ENDSARS Protest and the need to sensitize Nigerians on actions taken to avert its reoccurrence”
he added.
The minister, while outlining the PPCC guidelines, said it shall be the duty of members to receive and process all petitions that are addressed to the committee.
“The committee will not handle cases in court, cases already settled, cases between police personnel, cases that are more than two years old, cases between Police and other security agencies, cases that are purely civil in nature involving a police officer, except if it borders on abuse of fundamental human rights among others,”
he said.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who also spoke about the event commended the professional conduct of the Nigerian police force, noting that cases of human rights abuses are not limited to Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, said the average policeman should not be discouraged but carry out his duties diligently.
