The new Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, on Friday promised to give full attention to efforts to address upsurge in current security challenges in the country.
Abba made the pledge shortly after he took over from his predecessor, Mohammed Abubakar, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He said that it was necessary to give “attention to specific issues that are of critical concern to the nation”.
The new I-G said that his experience in the force for almost 30 years had taught him that policing had changed and was still changing.
He said: “Policing is no more about arresting, investigating and prosecution only.
“The responsibility of the Police in a democracy transcends these traditional roles, to expectations in ensuring a stable democracy, conducive to good governance and creating an enabling environment for economic development.
“Whilst it is not our intention to reinvent the wheel, we intend to build on those positive aspects that are firmly entrenched.”
Abba, who noted that the police as the leading law enforcement agency in the country was daily on the limelight, said that whatever they do or fail to do attracts attention.
He said: “However, as a progressive organisation, we take very kindly criticisms and accept the responsibility to address our challenges and remedy our shortcomings.
“The plain truth remains that no one is more critical of the Nigeria police force than itself.
“Our leadership shall be self-searching, as we continually aspire to keep our country safe by working with, for and through the communities.”
Abba said his vision was to make the force a leading national, professional and efficient law enforcement organisation that was dynamic, robust and efficient but not abdicating its professional duty.
“In consonance with the President’s transformation agenda, I will develop and implement constructive policing strategies for the maintenance of a stable democracy and economic growth,” he said.
Abba said that those strategies included intelligence-led policing, law enforcement, crime prevention, diligent deployment of resources and service delivery with least inconvenience to the people.
The new I-G also said that under the strategy, senior police officers would be held accountable for their actions and inactions, by means of performance contracts and indicators, with clear deliverables.
He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for the appointment and the opportunity given to him to be part of those saddled with the responsibility of fighting against crime.
Abba also thanked his predecessor for laying a solid foundation for policing the country.
He was appointed by President Jonathan on Thursday to replace Abubakar, who is proceeding on retirement after 35 years of service in the force.
Until his new appointment, Abba was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7 (Kaduna, Niger and FCT).
He was also Deputy Force Secretary, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation, FCT Command, and Rivers Commissioner of Police, respectively.
He enlisted into the force in December 1984 as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.
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