THE Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Theophilus, has warned the rank and file against taking bribe, disobeying the laws and extorting motorists in the face of the current security challenges.
While speaking with journalists in Dutse at the weekend, Theophilus stated that the police should be seen to obey simple rules and regulations before they can enforce law and order on the public. He said the era of taking bribe before releasing suspects on bail or extorting taxi-drivers on the highways was gone, insisting that bail is free and should be treated as such.
The police commissioner warned officers to abide by Force Order (FO) 237 that guides police on the use of fire arms, warning that extra-judicial killings would not be condoned and any officer involved would face the wrath of the law.
Theophilus, who said he had already sensitised the Jigawa people not to give any bribe before they are released on bail, revealed that he had already given out some phone numbers so that members of the public could alert him immediately any officer demands for bribe before releasing any person on bail.
According to him, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers have also been warned against giving bribe to any police on the highway and that they have been instructed to call his line if any of his men demand money from them.
Theophilus said the new posture was in line with efforts by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to reposition the police and the job.
He stressed the importance of discipline and morality in the police as necessary ingredients for the security agents to tackle the current security problems bedeviling the nation.
Theophilus explained that “if policemen are disciplined and morally sound, they will effectively carry out their mandate as provided by the constitution, thereby regaining public’s confidence.
