- The police warned officers against extortion and human rights abuses
- DIG Zachariah Fera-Achinyan said professionalism requires discipline and integrity
- He also announced plans to recruit 50,000 new police officers
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department, Zachariah Fera-Achinyan, has condemned extortion, human rights violations and other forms of misconduct by police officers, describing them as evidence of indiscipline and a lack of professionalism.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Fera-Achinyan made the remarks on Monday during a stakeholders’ engagement and consultative meeting with the Deputy Inspector-General coordinating the North-East at the Gombe State Police Command Headquarters.
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He said discipline is the foundation of effective policing, stressing that officers who engage in extortion often live beyond what their legitimate earnings can support.
According to him, a police officer who demands bribes or displays an extravagant lifestyle inconsistent with his salary has abandoned the ethical standards expected of the profession.
The DIG urged members of the public to recognise such behaviour as unacceptable, insisting that professional officers should be content with living within their means.
Reflecting on earlier years in the Force, he recalled that officers were encouraged to acquire only what they could afford, noting that financial discipline was regarded as an essential part of police service.
Fera-Achinyan also criticised other forms of misconduct, including abuse of human rights, drinking while on duty and poor personal appearance, warning that such behaviour damages the image and credibility of the Nigeria Police Force.
He assured the public that the Force would continue to identify and discipline officers whose actions fall short of professional standards.
Speaking on manpower challenges, the DIG acknowledged that Nigeria has far fewer police officers than the United Nations’ recommended ratio of one officer to every 400 people, with just over 300,000 personnel serving a population of more than 200 million.
He said the shortage informed the adoption of community policing, which encourages stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
To address the gap, Fera-Achinyan disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is preparing to recruit 50,000 additional officers nationwide.
He added that Gombe State will benefit from the exercise, with each of its 11 local government areas expected to receive 96 newly recruited officers to strengthen security and improve policing across the state.
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