The immediate past Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, said in Abuja on Wednesday that he left the Nigeria Police Force better than he met it on his appointment in 2021.

“As I exit the leadership of the Force today, I believe that I am leaving it better than I met it,” he said while handing over authority to the newly-appointed IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.

He added, “I believe that I have added value to policing in Nigeria.’’

Mr Baba said he had set out to positively change policing narratives in Nigeria by laying out a well-articulated vision and mission objectives upon his appointment.

The former IGP said he had pledged to address the welfare concerns of serving and retired officers and enhance the force’s operational capacity by procuring critical operational assets.

He said he also set out to reposition special detachments of the force, particularly the marine and air wings, the special forces, the police mobile force, the counterterrorism unit, and the special protection unit.

“I am convinced that steady progress has been made in all components of my promise to change policing narratives and restore the dwindling police primacy within the internal security architecture of the country.

“We might not be there yet, but certainly, the pathways have been clearly defined, firm foundations built, and giant strides taken.

“These are for the new leadership to leverage in the quest for a better police force,’’ he stressed.

Mr Baba commended the Nigeria police family for loyalty, sacrifice, and duty orientation, which he said aided his administration in attaining most of its set leadership visions and targets.

Responding, Mr Egbetokun commended President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him.

He said his appointment was a call to commitment and a platform to make a difference in the shared mission of the president to safeguard the lives and well-being of Nigerians.

Mr Egbetokun said the Nigeria Police Force, under his leadership, would also strive to restore public confidence in law enforcement institutions and create a Nigeria where every citizen would feel safe, protected, and respected.

(NAN)