By Favour Afunanya
Spokesman of the Nigerian Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi has said that the Retreat of Senior Police Officers, scheduled to take place in Owerri, Imo State capital, from 30th October 2023 to 1st November, 2023, was not politically motivated.
He said the event which is themed 'Fostering Economic Prosperity, Social Integration, and Political Development through Enhanced Internal Security Mechanism', "is a significant platform for Senior Police Officers to come together, share their experiences, peer review, and engage with experts, in the field of security management from around the world, in constructive discussions and strategic planning to enhance internal security mechanisms within the nation."
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In a press conference held in Owerri, weekend, Adejobi added that the Retreat is part of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun's commitment to ensuring internal security stability and creating a secure environment conducive for the implementation of the Federal Government's policies.
He said, "in clear terms, the ability, commitment, and zeal of the Nigeria Police Force to discharge its duties towards the fulfilment of the present administration’s mandate for economic recovery, social stability and development in all spheres of country is crucial to our vision to bequeath to Nigerians a more secure environment for seamless renewed hope in Nigeria.
"Emphatically, this year’s conference will focus on many areas for discussions to include ‘Service Scheme for the Nigeria Police Force’, ‘Professionalizing the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID)’, ‘Re-orientation Programme for Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force’, and ‘Police Pension Scheme: Review of Changes in Pension Scheme and Suggestion of Further Changes’, with a view to achieving our vision statement and police Nigeria as expected of us."
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He continued, "This Conference and Retreat will also provide an opportunity for senior police officers to engage with key officials from sister security agencies, national and international development partners, and other stakeholders.
"The Conference anticipates the presence of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as the Special Guest of Honour who will inaugurate the conference and deliver the keynote address.
"Other distinguished guests expected at the event include State Governors, Ministers of Police Affairs, Service Chiefs, Heads of other Security Agencies, the President of INTERPOL, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, past Inspectors-General of Police, Traditional Rulers, and other Community Leaders. We also extend our invitation to the youths, the press, and Civil Liberty Organizations (CLOs)."
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Adejobi further said, "It is essential to clarify that the Senior Police Officers Conference and Retreat is not a politically motivated event, and the Police is committed to ensuring that all voices and perspectives are heard as a session of the Conference will have political leaders and stakeholders for a discourse.
"The primary focus of this conference is the improvement of internal security, not political partisanship as the NPF is dedicated to the safety and well-being of all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations.
"In conclusion, this conference serves the greater good of addressing security concerns and fostering economic prosperity, social integration, and political development for the benefit of all Nigerians and residents of our great country.
"We encourage all stakeholders to participate in this critical event, which holds the potential to strengthen our internal security mechanisms and ensure a safer and more prosperous future for Nigeria and the world."
Recall that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP through its Spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, in Abuja, last Monday, had called for the relocation of the police event from Imo to another state, alleging plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hijack the police event for political leverage ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election.
Ologunagba said, “Our Party observes that it is inappropriate and against the principle of fairness and neutrality required in a charged election situation as presently existing in Imo State for Governor Uzodimma, the candidate of the APC, to be seen as sponsoring or hosting senior Police officers at this critical period, especially being very close to the election.
“Our Party therefore urges the Acting IGP, as a highly experienced and decorated officer, to save the situation and allay the fears of the people by moving the Conference to another State or to a date after the election, if it must be hosted in Imo State.”
“This is more so as APC leaders have on many occasions been seen bragging that they will use security operatives to suppress the people and help the APC subvert and manipulate the electoral process in favour of Governor Uzodimma.
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