President Bola Tinubu has declared April 7 as National Police Day.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this known on Monday night during the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations ceremony held in the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
He identified a complete overhaul of institutional mentality and memory of police officers as fundamental in his administration’s ongoing bid to transform the force into a modern, professional and accountable institution.
He said his administration had initiated wide-ranging reforms to revitalize the nation’s police force since assuming office in 2023.
He, therefore, stressed the need to engage men and women of the force in training and capacity-building to equip them with the expertise required to carry out the arduous task of modern policing.
Earlier, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for recognising the hard work, resilience and patriotism of the officers and men of the Police Force.
He expressed his delight and that of the National Assembly for celebrating the well-deserved officers of the force.
The Senate President stressed that the decision to celebrate the nation’s unsung heroes would pave the way for a new Police Force in the country.
“The leadership of the police understands the role of the Police Force in a democratic dispensation.
“I commend the Inspector-General of Police and I commend the police officers for the work of sacrifice and for maintaining peace and order in our communities.
“As we commend the good officers, let us weed out the bad ones among the Police Force as, to whom much is given, much is expected,” Akpabio said.
