The Acting Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, has charged police officers from the South South region not to take the war to criminals wherever they are.
Usman, who spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, during the launch of a special operation to tackle insecurity in the south south, on Wednesday, charged officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force to defend themselves from criminals and armed groups in the country.
The IGP also charged all Police commands and formations to deal ruthlessly with criminal elements in the country, urging his men not to wait to be attacked.
He said Operation Restore Peace was part of his strategic action plan to restore peace across the south south geopolitical zone.
He also urged police operatives of Operation Restore Peace to be professional in their conduct and respect the rights of citizens.
“You are expected to restore security and order in the South South geopolitical zone in the shortest possible time.
“You are charged to be civil with law-abiding citizens but ruthless with criminal elements that may attempt to threaten the peace and security of your jurisdiction.
“In furtherance to the goals of this special operation, I charge you to henceforth defend yourself courageously against any armed group that may attempt to attack you or attack any police station or any national infrastructure.
“Don’t sit down in your station waiting to defend yourself; go out and take the war to them. Go out and look for them just as they are looking for you. They are not spirits, so, look for them and deal ruthlessly with them don’t wait for them in your police stations and formations.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, reiterated that the state government has zero-tolerance for criminality and separatist groups.
Banigo further assured that the Rivers State Government will continue to support the police for the protection of the residents of the state.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander and Deputy Inspector of Police in charge of the South South Zone, Moses Jitoboh, said Operation Restore Peace will leave no stone unturned in tackling criminal elements in the zone.
