AIG Maritime resumes,assures of deployment of new gunboats to fight criminality on waterways

“You are required to ensure diligence, energy, and professionalism in discharging your roles; you must be blind to bribery and corruption. Any officer found culpable is gone”

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Maritime Police Command, Susan Horsfall has pledged the commitment of the force to safeguard the Nigerian waterways.

Horsfall being led to her seat at the AIG’s office by senior officers of the command at Obalande

She gave this promise upon resumption of office as the AIG, Maritime Police Command, Force Headquarters(annex) Obalande, Lagos.

Horsfall who noted that the maritime sector was a key component and treasure to Nigeria’s economic development said the police was committed to repositioning the country’s economy as well as combat insecurity, especially in the inland waterways and coastal axis, restating that the Nigerian Police Force will strive hard for success.

She stated that the newly procured gunboats, ammunition and fire arms for marine patrol is a cheering news assured they will be properly deployed to combat all forms of criminality on the inland waterways and coastal routes.

The AIG said the command would complement and reinforce the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as has been severally re-echoed by the Inspector-General of Police.

Horsfall acknowledged the Command as having the enormous duty to patrol and police the waterways and to keep it safe and secured for legitimate operators as part of the social contract between the government and the citizens.

She said: “We are duty bound to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA) and other sister agencies of government to ensure efficient management of port operations in order to guarantee adequate return on national investments for the benefits of the Nigerian citizens.

“To this end, you must give your all to the service of motherland, you are required to ensure diligence, energy, and professionalism in discharging your roles; you must be blind to bribery and corruption”, she expressed, adding that the era of tolerating any form of illicit and unprofessional conduct from any police officer found culpable is gone.

“In discharging your duties, you are saddled with the expectations to be civil in your approach and interaction with members of the public, especially the host communities of the coastal areas.

“To achieve this desired result, you must build trust and entertain friendly disposition to the members of the public, while affirming absolute resolve in keeping up with the policy of government at the same time”, adding that members of the public are not enemies to the police, only those who indulge in criminal activities are.

Horsfall challenged men of the police force to be innovative and to move with the time. According to the AIG, “improving your knowledge base and capacity is equally a task required to conform with 21st-century policing”.
Modern electronic creations she encouraged will aid in achieving optimal operational results expected of the police.

The marine police boss urged the officers not to allow themselves to be carried away or subsumed by social media activities. “As Police officers, you are expected to act professionally in private and in public, you must not demean your status, she warned.

She also implored the police to ensure a great deal of teamwork in discharging their responsibilities adding that teamwork will increase safety, improve effectiveness, strengthen communication, boost morale, and make the Command more attractive and successful.

“It suffices to state that a well-functioning team has synergy: the group members work together and help each other, improving each other’s ideas and actions”, Horsfall stated.

On welfare, the AIG said police welfare must be taken into consideration, and very seriously too to make them diligent and perform optimally.

She assured unalloyed support for activities and operations as well as keeping up and improving the police welfare adding there would always be an attractive rewards for gallantry.

“l intend to run an open door policy, you are free, just as every other member of the public, to approach me. I will always be available and accessible to all.

I will equally be assessing your activities and conduct in discharging your duties as responsible Police Officers” , she disclosed.