CP Dantawaye holds talks with PDCRC, Retired officers , harps on professionalism,
SP Williams Aya
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc, held a strategic conference with senior Police officers to enhance their operational capacity for efficient and effective service delivery in Kogi State. The CP emphasized the need for renewed commitment to discipline, professionalism, and lawful conduct, while urging officers to exercise caution when addressing sensitive matters with reference to the ongoing police pension scheme saga on social media platforms. He also charged the officers to strictly adhere to the law in the discharge of their duties.
Furthermore, the Director General of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC), Barr. Musa Onogo Idris, and his team delivered a sensitization lecture aimed at enlightening senior police officers on the mandate of the PDCRC and the Kogi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2022.
The session focused on enhancing collaboration between the police and the judiciary through the PDCRC in protecting vulnerable citizens, handling rights violation cases, and enforcing the VAPP Law in the State. Officers were enlightened on key aspects of the law, such as rape, spousal abuse, harmful widowhood practices, abandonment, and emotional abuse offenses now carrying strict legal penalties. The DG emphasized that the PDCRC offers free legal services, including criminal and civil litigation, and alternative dispute resolution.
The Commissioner of Police appreciated the growing synergy aimed at fostering collaboration and partnership between the Kogi State command and the office of the Public Defender and Citizens Right Commission leading to more effective and comprehensive justice delivery in Kogi State. He urged officers to deepen on the existing synergy with the PDCRC for a more just and violence-free society. He further disclosed that in order to protect the rights of our people, officers must not only enforce the law but understand it clearly. He charged all area commanders, DPOs and sectional heads to ensure their personnel are aware of the VAPP Law and it application in our contemporary society. The CP also emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration for effective prosecution of offenders. Noting that the sensitization reinforced the Kogi State police command’s resolve to protect citizens’ rights. Reaffirming his unwavering commitment to full implementation of the VAPP Law and protecting vulnerable citizens.
CP assured of sustained collaboration through regular legal awareness training for officers and stakeholders, strengthening coordination with PDCRC and judiciary for effective justice delivery. He requested for copies of the VAPP Law to be distributed to all the area commands and divisional headquarters across the state. He further assured citizens of its commitment to justice, protection of rights, and strict enforcement of laws against abuse and violence.
In another development, the Commissioner of Police, held a crucial engagement with retired Police officers in the State, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, on the issue of Police Pension Scheme while advocating for dialogue. He urged the retirees to remain hopeful assuring them of the IGP’s unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of both serving and retired police officers which is crucial for enhancing service delivery.
The CP further expressed gratitude to the retirees for their conduct in the state. He acknowledged their respect and cooperation with the command, noting that their decision not to create any public disorder during the last protest showed maturity and discipline.
To this end, the CP also presented a token of transport fare to the sixteen (16) retired Officers who attended the meeting. And the meeting ended with a mutual commitment to continued engagement and open communication between the command and the retirees in Kogi State.
