The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim has appealed to Nigerian youths to be patient with the government’s reforms programme and adopt peaceful engagement, dialogue, and collaboration rather than a confrontation that will lead to destruction and chaos.
In a statement personally signed by the Honourable Minister on Sunday, July 28, 2024, acknowledged the frustration that drives the desire to protest but cautioned on the narratives accompanying the planned protest from its faceless nature which may lead to chaos.
In her words, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team are working hard to build a strong and prosperous future for us all. His commitment is absolute, and his policies are deliberate and well thought out. His love for the country cannot be questioned; soon enough, it will manifest in different areas of our lives”.
She added that the Ministry of Police Affairs has made its programs people-centric, and primarily revolve around dynamic youths and other members of local communities in multiple ongoing town halls, “We feel the pulse, we have taken stock, and we have now developed a transformative roadmap for reforming the Nigeria Police Force.”
The Minister said: “We are working to see to the emergence of a world-class Nigeria Police Force that is fit for the 21st Century, inclusive, community-based, intelligence-led, and technologically driven, while excelling in maintaining public safety, upholding the rule of law, and fostering community trust through transparent and accountable practices”.
The Minister expressed the significant progress in expanding the human and technical capability of the NPF such as a commitment to recruiting over 40,000 young Nigerians into the Force over the next years, and the planned recruitment for 2024 is already at an advanced stage.
Imaan further noted that the welfare has been improved to boost officers’ morale, which has increased the level of discipline and professionalism in the Force adding that the Ministry has partnered with the Ministry of Youths to create a platform for robust engagement between the NPF and the youth and serve as a grievance reporting channel.
According to her, “We have strengthened the Police Public Complaint Committee and enhanced the response time of the Complaint Response Unit of the NPF, both key platforms for lodging complaints against police officers from members of the public. We are closely monitoring complaints and ensuring closure in all cases.
“We urge you to engage with this team for any complaints or challenges relating to the NPF”.
She opined that the nation is at a crossroads, and needs the youths’ energy, creativity, and passion to drive positive change. Let us work together to find solutions that uplift and unite us rather than tear us apart.
