The visit of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Baba, to Lagos State on Wednesday, suffered from the elements as the heavy rain in the state almost disrupted the exercise.
The IGP had arrived the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters at about 1:40pm.
However, the reception ceremony for him had barely commenced when the rain began. The IGP was only able to take the National Anthem before the downpour started.
Video footage from the reception showed the carnage which the rain wrecked.
All the canopies as well as some chairs arranged were all displaced by the heavy winds; forcing the IGP and other senior officers to run to the conference room while others and journalists sought safety in available.
Upon his arrival in Lagos by 10am, the IGP had visited Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina. Thereafter, he had proceeded to see the Oba of Lagos before coming to the command headquarters at about 1.40pm.
On arrival at the command, he met briefly with some senior officers at the conference room. Subsequently, he had addressed other senior officers, including Area commanders, DPOs, and squadron commanders before the rain started.
However, he was later able to brief the press; pointing out the areas that needed to be improved on by his men. He listed them to include: crowd control, which he said should be done by policemen according to the norms of discharging their responsibilities.
ALSO READ: Bombs rain on Gaza after lull as world scrambles for ceasefire
“There is the need to also control the use of arms. Officers should lecture their men that once they are assigned rifles, there is a time and reason for their use. You need to guard them and use them responsibly.
“We must also be civil in discharging our responsibilities. Never should we allow our stations to be overrun to the extent that we will not be able to handle situations because of cowardice or lack of professionalism,” he said.
The police chief added that his mission in Lagos was to familiarise himself with and address officers of the Command on how the Nigeria Police will be administered under his leadership. He added that there was also the need to talk to police officers that they had a duty to perform; which should be done while some things were taken cognisance of.
“It is good to remind ourselves of the enormous task of policing in a democratic system.
“We have not got all we need to discharge our duties in terms of welfare, logistics and equipment. But with the available limited resources, we will do our jobs with more dedication and professionalism.
“I want to congratulate us that the government and the people are taking cognisance of our duty.
“We have the support of every Nigerian like never before and it has become obvious that we are necessary in maintaining equilibrium,” he said.
The IGP also urged senior Police officers to motivate their men through rewards and sanctions; noting that rewards will motivate the men while sanctions will serve as deterrent to others.
