Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba Usman, gave the warning in Lagos at the weekend during the inauguration of multimillion naira projects undertaken by the outgoing commander of Area “B” Command, Apapa, Olusoji Akinbayo.

Akinbayo has just been promoted to the rank of deputy commissioner of police.

The Police boss noted that one of the easiest ways to cultivate and sustain public support is for officers to ensure that they do not squander their goodwill.

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The projects conceived and executed by the command include a one-story block, comprising a fully-equipped new area commander’s office, conference room, and 10 other offices for senior officers, as well as the renovation and furnishing of other existing structures.

The IGP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone ‘2’ Command, Lagos, Mr Johnson Kokumo, said the feat achieved by Akinbayo’s leadership, was worthy of emulation by all officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

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He said, “This is indeed an unparalleled achievement. It is apparent that the Area Commander did not mortgage his PR. If he had done so, he would never have been able to mobilise people to support him in this manner.

“DCP Olusoji Akinbayo has demonstrated professionalism and shown an example which other area commanders have a lot to learn from. One thing is clear from what we have seen here if you show that you are for the people, the people too will be there for you. And so long as you don’t mortgage your PR, you will have no cause to sacrifice your integrity.”

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, was also praised, for creating a conducive atmosphere for Akinbayo to embark on a project of such magnitude.

Also speaking in his personal capacity, Kokumo observed that the day was the second time within a space of six months that he would be inaugurating projects completed by Akinbayo at the area command headquarters.

In his speech, Odumosu said the support Akinbayo enjoyed from the people was a testament to his excellent service to the community. He enjoined police officers to work on “improving their relationship with the people and also strive to police with a human face”.

In his welcome address, Akinbayo described himself as an ambassador of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) in the police. He said his strong moral upbringing and strong Christian orientation were his primary guides in discharging his duties as a police officer.

Akinbayo also disclosed that to ensure probity and accountability in the projects, he urged everyone that offered to finance different aspects to pay their donations directly to the designated contractors and never to himself or any of his officers.

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“I remember, when I was posted here and we started clearing the junkyard, some Senior Officers mocked me that I had started again, and that police work should not be taken to high heavens. Some even advised me to use the money I am using to do the projects to prepare for retirement. But my father, when he was alive, always referred me to the Holy Bible, Exodus 23:1, which says, ‘Thou shall not follow the multitude to do evil, neither shall thou speak in a cause, following many to divert judgment’.

“With my moral upbringing and as a Zonal Pastor in the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, I am not expected to do otherwise. The donors are here present. You can now see that your various contributions were not diverted. You now trust the Nigeria Police, as we are now rebuilding the trust and confidence of the public and applying restorative justice in our daily working,” Akinbayo said.

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr Toyin Fayinka, commended Akinbayo for setting the right example by ensuring that the projects were built directly by the community rather than asking them to contribute money into a