By Tony Nyong
UYO—The Inspector General of Police, Mr Ogbonna Onovo has said in Akwa Ibom State, that there is an alarming level of indiscipline and insubordination in the Nigerian Police Force, warning that  such untoward attitude will no longer be tolerated.

Mr Onovo who announced that the Federal Government had budgeted  N79 billion for the Force this year, added  that apart from dereliction of duty and improper dressing, those in the rank and file often disobey their seniors,  even at check points and sometimes threaten to pull their guns when given command.

The Police boss who promised better days for his men, said of the N79 billion voted, the welfare of staff, purchase of Armoured Personnel Carriers, bullet proof vans and vests and motivation will take priority in the use of the fund.

Onovo who said policing in a country like Nigeria was a herculean task, added that about 46,000 men of the Police Force have been promoted within the year and that more are going to be considered in the next promotion exercise.

He commended the Akwa Ibom Police Command for recording numerous successes in combating crime and stemming the tide of kidnapping,  which has become peculiar to the Niger Delta region. He commended the innovations the State Police Commissioner had introduced into security operation in the state.

The State Police Commissioner, Mr.Walter  Rugbere earlier in his welcome address, said the command with 7,127 men is known in recent times to be volatile  and characterized by youth restiveness, but that the command has been up and doing in the fight against crime.

He highlighted the recent breakthroughs made by his men,  some of which included the arrest of more than 43 kidnappers, rescue of many kidnapped victims and foiling of bank robberies smashing of some notorious gangs as well as proactively handling the fragile political atmosphere within the state.
Rugbere said the commend was faced with challenges that have hindered their optimal performance in the areas such as accommodation despite the support enjoyed from the state government in the provision of logistics and pleaded the Federal Government to come to the aid of the Force.

The State Police boss assured of the determination of the command to continue to live up to her responsibility of protecting the citizens and residents of the state from all form of criminality.