The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu has said that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is recharged and equally reinvented to deliver on its core mandate to the citizens.
DIG Argungu stated that a properly motivated NPF remains the bedrock of a safe and progressive Nigeria, stressing that this has been the battle cry of the PSC as it “strengthens its oversight powers on the Nigeria Police Force”.
In a statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani on Wednesday, the PSC Chairman made the remarks at the 2024 Annual lecture series of the People’s Security Monitor held at the Nigerian National Merit Award House, Maitama, Abuja today.
The PSC boss, who was the Chairman of the event, represented by Mr. Ani noted that the present government has put in place enduring mechanisms to ensure that in no time, Nigeria will be free of crime and criminality.
However, he mentioned that “Nigerians are expected to play their own role since security is everyone’s business”.
“Although, it is unfortunate that our nation has faced security challenges in all fronts, it is a development that is not peculiar to us but a ravaging global menace that is threatening global peace and development,” he acknowledged.
The Chairman disclosed that the present administration has devoted time and resources to fight the battle, emphasising that “I can assure you that we are winning the war”.
He continued: “Our policemen are daily being exposed to trainings and governments at all levels have continued to empower our officers and men with the provision of essential security gadgets and materials.”
According to him, the Commission has ensured that promotions in the security agency are timely, predictable and based on internationally accepted principles of fairness, seniority and availability of vacancies.
DIG Argungu said that the Commission has also continued to weed out police officers, who have failed to meet the minimum standard required of an average Nigeria Police Officer, “while we dangle the stick, we also spread the carrot as motivation for greater performance,” he explained.
He reiterated the commission’s commitment to upholding the greatest standard for serving police officers, revealing that PSC has launched a zero tolerance for corruption in the system with the whistle blowing policy recently put in place.
The Chairman expressed gratitude to the organisers for finding him worthy to chair the occasion, stating that “I would always identify with any person or group that is genuinely concerned and interested in finding solutions to our security problems.”
He recalled that he is a retired senior police officer and had joined the Police Force on personal conviction and desire to serve the nation, and not by accident or coercion, adding that “I believe in one Nigeria, a nation full of promises and blessed with abundant human and material resources, a nation of great opportunities.”
