Police AIG sensitises SMOs on core roles, cautions against bribery, corruption

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Maritime Police Command, Lagos, Olofu Adetutu Rhoda, has asked State Marine Officers (SMOs) to device better ways to ensure the safety and security of our waterways which is in line with their core mandate.

Olofu however urged the SMOs who are also known as field officers of the Command to give their all to the service of motherland, ensure diligence, energy and professionalism in discharging their roles. She warned them to shun bribery and corruption as she will not tolerate any form of illicit and unprofessional conduct from anyone found culpable.

Severe measures she cautioned would be taken against such individual. Encouraged the SMOs to be civil in their approach and interactions with members of the public especially the host communities.

In a release by ASP Ehinmode Rowland, Ag. Police Public Relations Officer, Maritime Police Command, FHQ Annex, Lagos made available to Nation Update, said the AIG at the meeting held with the SMOs in her office was to brainstorm, appraise and devise modest ways to guarantee security.
She reiterated that the Marine Police was established in line with the core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria amended, and the Police Acts and Regulations.

The law empowers them to protect life and property especially in the marine environment and the navigable inland waterways, provide quick and accelerated interventions for victims of attacks, sea robberies, piracy among other vices and for easy evacuation of same, hence, the need to remind and reawaken the consciousness of these officers of their tasks.

The AIG stated further that the Maritime Police Command is saddled with the responsibility to secure and complement the efforts of other agencies to ensure the efforts of the Federal Government especially the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in realising its core goals and objectives.
She said, the Command is expected to key into, complement and reinforce the policy direction of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode A. Egbetokun, to reposition the Force and to combat insecurity.

The AIG called on officers to give their all to the service of motherland, ensure diligence, energy and professionalism in discharging their roles, warned them to shun bribery and corruption as she will not tolerate any form of illicit and unprofessional conduct from anyone found culpable as severe measures will be taken against such individual.
She encouraged the SMOs to be civil in their approach and interactions with members of the public especially the host communities of the coastal areas, build trust and entertain friendly disposition while affirming absolute determination in keeping up with the policy directive and guidelines of the IGP and the Federal Government.

AIG Olofu advised the SMOs to be innovative and move with the time, improve their knowledge base and capacity in line with modern policing techniques.
The maritime police boss implored the officers to ensure great deal of team work, which she said can increase safety, improve effectiveness, strengthen communication, boost morale and assure success.
Promised to be available and accessible to all as their activities and conducts in discharging their duties and responsibilities will be assessed. She therefore advised them to play by the rules and avoid every tendencies at converting police assets in their custody to commercial use or purposes.