The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Usman Baba, says police personnel who trot guns at Nigerians in order to extort them are not different from armed robbers and would be so treated.

“Any policeman holding a gun and extorting people on the road is no different from an armed robber and we cannot be glorified armed robbers,” he warned.

Mr Baba gave the warning while addressing policemen on Wednesday at Police Headquarters in Gombe, asking his men to shine acts of indiscipline.

The police chief said discipline and professionalism were the bedrock of policing, as such the service would not condone any act of corruption and indiscipline.

The I-G, therefore, told the police personnel to live up to expectations or lose their jobs.

Mr Baba described extortion as a criminal offence, adding that “it’s serious and next to armed robbery, and such acts have no place in the police.”

In the last three weeks, no fewer than three policemen have been dismissed from the Force for irresponsible behaviours.

Mr Baba, however, commended police personnel working hard to ensure security in the state and the country as a whole.

He urged them to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, including collaboration with traditional and community leaders, to enhance security and peace across the country.

The police boss directed the Gombe State Command to ensure the training and re-training of all personnel to keep them professionally fit to serve the nation better.

Mr Baba was in the state for a three-day Security and Peace Summit convened by the state government to improve security in the state.

(NAN)