It does appear that the war against corruption in the country has finally reached the door step of the police.
This even as the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has declared that all officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police to the Inspector-General of Police will henceforth declare their assets.
NAN reports that the acting IGP made the statement on Thursday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd).
He said the directive was in line with Section 13 cap 15 Code of Conduct Act.
“Every police officer from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police to Inspector-General, who are commissioned officers, must declare their assets,” Idris said.
He added that the directive would guide the conduct of police officers in carrying out their duties.
The police boss promised that under his administration, the integrity of the force would be further enhanced.
“I assure you sir that we will raise the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force to be more accountable to the people,” he said.
The acting I-G added that under his command, the police would operate within the rule of law.
He said the presence of police officers would be felt in all villages and streets across the country.
Responding, Dambazau urged the acting I-G to focus on the three key issues of corruption, economy and security for the success of this administration.
“You have a lot of challenges as the chief law officer of the country,” he said.
The minister urged the new police boss to collaborate with other security agencies to address the issues crimes and post conflict resolution in the North East.
“The post conflict resolution in the North East has to be comprehensive and holistic,” he said.
Dambazau advised his guest to carry everybody along and put the right persons in the positions of command commissioners and zonal commanders.
He said: “No matter how smart you think you are, you cannot do it alone without the support of others.”
He advised Idris to make the welfare of his officers a priority.
He assured him of the support of the ministry to discharge his mandate.
NAN recalled that in his inaugural speech, Idris said the police under his administration would be guided by the international core values of policing.