Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, instructed strategic police managers in the Nigeria Police Force on Monday to prepare for the expected internal security difficulties that the year 2022 will provide.
According to the IGP, 2022 will be a difficult year since it precedes the 2023 general elections, and the Force will be faced with the management of dangers connected with an active political arena.
Baba announced this on Monday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja during a meeting with police management.
In retrospect, the police chief said that 2021 had been difficult since the force had to deal with separatist elements, abduction, banditry, and other organized crime.
He said, “The Year 2021 has been particularly challenging to the Nigeria Police Force. These challenges centre largely on the potent threat posed to internal security by the activities of bandits, secessionist elements, kidnapping syndicates, and other highly organized criminals.
“The challenges were compounded by the #Endsars violence of the preceding year which weakened the morale and operational base of the Force following the massive destruction of Police operational assets; and unfortunate deaths and injuries to Police Officers that attended the violent protests.”
Speaking further, Baba said the police, would, in 2022, deal with both traditional crimes and electoral threats.
He said, “While appreciating all members of the Force for these modest successes within the outgoing Year, it is imperative to note that, the upcoming Year could even be more challenging. This is because it is a year preceding the general elections in the country and hence, it is anticipated that the political landscape will be charged in a manner that will further test our professional will and operational competence.
“What this translates is that we will not only be dealing with traditional crimes, our capacity as the lead Agency in internal Security management will no doubt be stretched to cover the management of threats that will be associated with an active political space in Year 2022.”
The IGP, therefore, urged the police managers to “brace up to the anticipated internal security challenges that the Year 2022 will, undoubtedly, present”.