AN OPEN LETTER TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF NIGERIA POLICE

By A concerned Citizen, Usman Aliyu

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, NIGERIA POLICE Dear Sir, Permit me, sir, to communicate to you, through the medium I am opportune to have, much as an enlightenment to millions that would not have known than a reminder to you. I however hope it gets finally to you. I am a Nigerian, like most, concerned with the ongoing in this country; I equally feel obliged to discharge this responsibility, not just for the benefit of the present, but also for the generations yet unborn. First and foremost, I consider your office as highly esteemed and most crucial for the good governance and sustenance of this nation, much more in relevance and effect than any that there is in the country. I also believe that only you, as the occupant of such an important office can salvage this nation from falling into the abyss. Everyone is crying for a way out of the debacle we have found ourselves into; no one seems to have a clue how to get out, because they have been looking at the wrong angle; you and only you hold the key to the unending hopelessness grabbing the nation. God has given you the chance to leave a legacy; I hope you will choose right.
2

I am neither making a bogus claim, nor a flattery, as what follows will demonstrate: 1: Since the beginning of human civilization, there has never been the exercise of power without the Police, it does not matter with what names they were called. The police have always been the backbone of any orderly society. Conversely, to have an orderly Nigeria, the Nigeria Police must be reformed; you are now responsible for this and you hold the key to erase all the current lapses! All the three arms of government: the presidency, the legislature and the judiciary depend on you; so also the entire citizenry of the country. 2: There has never been a smooth observance of laws and order without the Police; the police have always been the instrument of establishing a functional society. You need to reform the Police institution; everybody is looking up to you for this task. It is your responsibility and we are waiting. 3: There has never been a society where the Rule of Law is upheld, consistently and conspicuously, without the Police; you need to have diligent, honest and hardworking police force for the establishment and sustenance of a Just society. You need to reform the Police, to make it responsible for this! 4: Security, in any form, for the rulers and the ruled, in any society, is dependent on the Police.
3

Everyone yearns for a Safe and secure society, for the pursuit of their legitimate aspirations. A reformed Police force that is dutiful and intelligent grantees that; our prayer is for the IG to fix this breach! 5: There are no HONEST ELECTIONS, without the Police; you want GOOD LEADERS through elections, the Police in Nigeria needs to be reformed; the IG is solely responsible! 6: To ensure fair trials in courts, you need the Police; you want HONEST JUDGES who conduct cases in all sincerity, the Police must be reformed to check the criminals and the judges; the IG is responsible! 7: To protect public property, you need the Police; you want FUNCTIONAL INFRASTUCTURE that is not wantonly used or stolen, the Police needs reforms; the IG is to blame if such actions persist! 8: To protect public WEALTH, you need the Police; you want PUBLIC ACCOUNTABLITY, reform the Police; the IG is responsible! 9: To have PEACE & HARMONY in the society, you need the Police; if you want a TOLERANT SOCIETY at peace with itself, the Police must be reformed; the IG is duly responsible! 10: It is now clear why we should hold the Inspector General of Nigeria Police responsible, not anyone else, for all the Nigeria's vices: CORRUPTION, VANDALIZATION, INJUSTICE & INSECURITY; why not? 1a. POLICE: If the President were honest, he would call the Police IG & say, "I'm changed, from now on
4

ensure the law". If he does not do that, the IG has the authority and the power to change him! 1b. POLICE: If Police IG were honest, he would call all his commissioners & say, "I'm changed, from now on no sacred cow". 1c. POLICE: If Police commissioner were honest, he would call all DPOs & say, "I'm changed, from now on no weekly return". 1d. POLICE: If DPO were honest, he would call Sergeants & say, "I'm changed, from now, get paid, no bribe or extortion". 1e. POLICE: If Sergeant were honest, he would call corporal & say, "I'm changed, from now, get to duty, no lies or theft". 1f. POLICE: If Corporal were honest, he would warn himself & say, "I'm changed, now, high or low, the criminal has it!" 1g. POLICE: If Nigeria Police were honest, Nigeria would be changed, then, high or low, the criminal will have it!" ALAS!! At the end, my final plea to the IG is for an honest review of his force, a structured reform of the force, and a sustained effort to ensure peace and order in the society. Good Luck. Yours, Usman Aliyu. (2013)
5