Yobe Police chief warns officers against extortion

The Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Yobe states have intensified efforts to strengthen policing through community engagement and improved professionalism, with one mobilising traditional rulers and vigilantes against insecurity while the other warned officers against extortion, human rights abuses and other unethical practices.
 
In Oyo State, Commissioner of Police Abimbola Olugbenga has commenced a statewide operational tour of Area Commands to reinforce security, deepen community policing and strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders.
 
The tour, which began on Monday, has seen the police chief engage traditional rulers, community leaders and representatives of various interest groups to assess the prevailing security situation and identify measures to prevent security breaches.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the engagements provided stakeholders with an opportunity to express their concerns while reviewing existing security strategies aimed at safeguarding lives and property.
 
According to him, the tour also featured meetings with commanders of sister security agencies and partner organisations to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve operational effectiveness and consolidate existing synergy in tackling crime.
 
Olugbenga also met with local vigilante groups and community-based security volunteers, commending their contributions to grassroots security and reaffirming the command’s commitment to collaborative policing.
 
The command said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture through intelligence-led policing, stakeholder engagement and improved cooperation among security agencies and local communities.
 
Meanwhile, in Yobe State, Commissioner of Police Usman Kanfani Jibrin warned officers against extortion, human rights violations and other unethical conduct, stressing that any personnel found culpable would face disciplinary action.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said Jibrin issued the warning during a strategic meeting with Divisional Police Officers, Heads of Departments, Area Commanders and Tactical Commanders.

The Commissioner commended officers for their commitment to fighting crime, and urged them to strictly comply with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, on professionalism and best policing practices.
 
He emphasised discipline, zero tolerance for extortion, respect for human rights, responsible use of force and firearms, accountability in arms management and strengthened community policing.
   
Jibrin also directed officers to ensure proper custody of arms and ammunition, deepen engagement with traditional rulers, market associations, transport unions, civil society groups and other stakeholders, and intensify implementation of the Schools Protection Initiative.
 
He further ordered increased surveillance of critical national infrastructure and warned against the unauthorised use of detachable name tags, desert boots and other improper uniforms, describing such practices as detrimental to the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
 
According to him, the directives align with the Inspector-General’s vision of building a more professional, accountable, intelligence-led and service-oriented police force.