Beef up security around hospitals, schools, IGP tells CPs

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has directed all Commissioners of Police in the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory to deploy water-tight security arrangements to protect hospitals and health workers.

Baba, who gave this directive while reviewing the general security situation of the nation via reports from commands and formations across the country, also ordered heads of police in the states to ensure schools and other critical national infrastructures in their domain are secured.

The police chief specifically ordered the CPs to ensure that there are regular patrols, stop and search, raids and show of force by tactical commanders to clamp down on crime being recorded in some states of the federation.

The force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He explained that the strategic police managers at various levels were also charged to prioritise the use of intelligence gathering networks, particularly traditional and local intelligence to locate criminal hideouts and flush them out before they strike.

Baba was quoted in the statement to have said, “I am equally charging all officers and men to be on the offensive, and take the fight against crime to the doorposts of suspected criminal elements, including bushes and uncompleted buildings. Profile them, and charge those found wanting to courts accordingly,” Baba was quoted to have stated.

“Against the backdrop of this development, Nigerians are hereby urged to cooperate with the Police as many police operatives will be seen at strategic areas, routes and communities, in order to suppress the antics and criminal activities of men of the underworld.”

The IGP also warned officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to be civil, professional and humane in the course of discharging their duties.

“The IGP, has, therefore, reiterated his commitment to the protection of lives and property of well-meaning members of the public by decimating the activities of rogue criminal elements, particularly those who target schools, hospitals, and other critical national infrastructure, in a bid to strike fear into the hearts of good citizens in the country.

”He has similarly charged police officers to protect with courage and serve with compassion in line with his administration’s policing theme,” the statement added.