INTRODUCTION
Since his appointment as the current Inspector General of Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar has undoubtedly been working tirelessly to reposition the Nigerian Police and to restore public confidence in the Force. We bear witness that he commendably stopped indiscriminate check points which hitherto were corruption points. He had also mobilised the police force in cooperation with other security agencies in fighting the scourge of insecurity with enormous sacrifices of the rank and file of the force.  Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar had also put in place welfare packages for the police with loud advocacy for enhanced minimum wage for a constable in the force, insisting that good remuneration would boast the morale and promote efficiency. In return he maintained zero tolerance to corruption in the force.

Early this year we recall that the IG launched an historic Code Of Conduct for the police to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

As significant as these achievements are, the real acid test for the police lies in its impartiality and fairness in handing the security of citizens and stakeholders of this great country as well as enduring their freedom and liberties.

Nigerians are alarmed how police halted and even tear gassed peaceful protest of the striking lecturers of the universities under the auspices of ASUU while the same police supervised anti-ASUU protests. This double standard in policing is unacceptable. We also watch with dismay how the police seem to have created an impression of taking sides in the current crisis rocking Peoples Democratic Party, PDP by disrupting peaceful assembly of dissidents including serving governors who are themselves the security officers of their states as well as senators.

We call on the IG to urgently call to order his state commissioners as well as the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) throughout the country to obey the police CODE OF CONDUCT and discharge their responsibility to all stakeholders in Nigerian project with fairness and justice. The third Principle of the Police Code of conduct mandates all police officers to be impartial and above partisanship. The NPF should not take the public confidence for granted. It must win and retain the confidence of the public. This is only possible if the police protect all Nigerians and does not do the bidding of the few however politically positioned. In a democracy, contestation and cooperation among political parties and actors are normal. The job of the police is to protect civil liberties and not be an obstacle to self expression of some stakeholders. An injury to any Nigerian regardless of political affiliation is an injury to all Nigerian workers.

ISSA AREMU mni

Secretary General Textile Workers’ Union