Boko Haram Days Are Numbered, IGP Abba Assures

Abba gave the assurance when he paid a visit to the Borno State Police Command in Maiduguri, the State capital, saying the full implementation of Nigerian Police Reforms by the 36 state governments in the country, along with the attitudinal changes of officers and men of the Nigerian Police, would ensure better policing of the country.

Charging the over 1,500 police officers and men of the state Police Command to be up and doing in keeping the insurgents at bay, Abba described policemen serving in state as heroes, urging them to be more committed to their duty as they tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

Disclosing that his visit to the Borno Police Command was the beginning of his scheduled visits to police formations in the country, the IGP said he was impressed by reports of good conduct and dedication of the officers and men of the Borno Command in fighting the insurgency that has claimed many lives and property. 'As far as I am concerned, all policemen and women and, of course, personnel of various security agencies serving in Borno today are heroes; because of their determination and dedication to support in the fight against violent crimes we've been witnessing in this part of the country,' he said.

He said his trip to Borno was the first official visit since his appointment, adding that he was in Osun and Adamawa States earlier only for election matters.

Disclosing that he had served in the state as a junior officer in the 80s, adding that Borno was truly a home of peace then with residents undergoing their socio-economic activities happily until 2009 when Boko Haram struck, he declared that 'Borno was a shining example of unity in the country as various people of different ethnic and religious background co-exist without crisis.'

Advising them not to despair in the face of the current challenges, Abba  said   'We were never relenting in the protection of lives and properties in Nigeria.'

Unveiling his agenda for the Police Force, the IGP said his priority was to ensure attitudinal change among the rank and file of the police, build values of hard work, humility, honesty and patriotism , stressing that these are the main attributes of policemen in the duty of protecting people's lives and property.

At an event later at the Borno State Government House, the IGP received 40 Hilux vehicles donated to the police by the state government , saying the donation was in fulfillment of the anticipated reform in the Nigeria Police.

Calling on other governors to follow suit to quicken the reform package, Abba promised an improved salary, communication and uniform to all the policemen in the country.

In his remark at the occasion, Governor Kashim Shettima said the IGP visit has shown his level of commitment to tackling insurgency in the area even as he paid tribute to the Nigerian Police for the sacrifices men and officers of the forces have been making in returning peace to the state.

Assuring that Borno government would continue to support the police, Shettima expressed the  hope that the state would soon enjoy peace with the renewed efforts of the Federal Government to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.