Why bandits overpower policemen – DIG, ex-AIG

Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of ‘F’ Department, Mr. Mohammed Yusufu, says policeman’s poor attitude to work is the main reason why a number of them have been overpowered by armed robbers.
Yusufu, who paid a working visit to the Police Mobile Force 11 in Calabar, Cross River State on Friday, said riot policemen formed the majority of those found wanting in the discharge of their duties.
He lamented that the rate at which policemen were killed daily by armed robbers was worrisome, adding that the Federal Government had expressed reservations over the way policemen discharged their duties.
Also, a former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Isaac Boladuro, said the  lack of commitment to service by officers was responsible for the security lapses in the country.
According to Boladuro, some of the candidates being recruited joined the police due to unemployment, saying majority consider the job as an alternative.
Boladuro, who is the President, Otan Ayegbaju Progressive Union, stated this on Saturday while speaking with one of our correspondents at the celebration of the community day.
Yusufu said, “Policemen are killed daily because of the lackadaisical way we perform our duties. The present security challenges we face today in the country were hitherto unknown and these perpetrators have now taken the tide to the door steps of the Nigeria Police Force. They have begun to break into our armouries and use the arms against the public.
“People are now asking if the police that cannot protect themselves can even protect the public. Government is already worried about the way we perform our duties, if they had their way they would have found an alternative. It is very common to see policemen cracking jokes, reading newspapers or listening to music at checkpoints or while on duty and that is why criminals collect riffles from us as if they are collecting sticks from women coming from the farm.
“The police face serious challenges. They have a serious stake on the issue of national insecurity. Some police officers are well- trained while some are not interested in the job.”
Boladuro added, “Many things have been taking for granted in Nigeria security system. The national insecurity has reached an alarming rate. Anything that happens in the Northern part of the country is being linked to Boko Haram.