Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, says the force will abide by the federal government’s decision on state police.
Egbetokun disclosed this on Monday in Lagos State through the coordinating deputy inspector-general of Police, South-West, Mr Abiodun Alabi, who was on a working visit to the state.
He said the force decided to explain its position in light of the many opinions and views the matter had generated.
The police chief advised officers and men to continue their jobs as the Nigerian Constitution stipulated.
Egbetokun charged the men with being disciplined, hardworking, respecting human rights, and carrying out their duties professionally.
He warned the personnel against misuse of firearms, stressing that such should be used responsibly in strict accordance with the law.
On the mental and physical health of the men, the IGP said the officer in charge of police medical had been given orders to carry out mental and psychological tests on personnel for better performance.
Egbetokun said the force was working with consultants on suitable accommodation for the officers and men, stressing that the personnel would soon be able to access their homes.
The police chief warned his officers and men against rivalry with other security agents, stressing that Nigeria police alone cannot provide the needed security for Nigerians.
He charged them to always work harmoniously with other security agencies to ensure good security for all Nigerians.
On cultism in Lagos State, Egbetokun urged the men to be proactive by reaching out to and engaging the youths in their command to lecture them on the dangers of cultism.
Earlier, the commissioner of police in Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, who welcomed the DIG to the command, said all security architecture put in place in collaboration with stakeholders had brought down the crime rate in the state.
“It is gratifying to note that since the introduction of people-centred, collaborative and cooperative crime prevention strategies by the commissioner of police, crime and criminal activities in the state have reduced drastically.
“The strategies adopted include prevention strategies, intelligence raids of criminal hideouts, cordon and search, and intelligence-led policing,” he said.
The Lagos police boss reassured the visiting DIG that the current tempo in crime fighting would be sustained to rid the state of all criminal elements.
