Opinion
Motivating The Police
The Police force is one institution that is very crucial to the survival of the country in terms of its role in the nation’s security arrangement. Because of their function to society, the police is so pervasive to such an extent that their frequent interface with members of the public placed a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. It is thus in cause of the discharge of their unenviable tasks that some who do not like their methods have errorneously resorted to calling them all sorts of derogatory names. This is in spite of the very crucial services they render.
Have you ever imagined what society would look like just for 24 hours without police presence? What with the current menace of kidnappings, armed robberies and sundry crimes which seem to confound and confuse all the security agencies and place the common populace at its wits end? Thus, the need to encourage members of the police force with the right doses of motivation packages would not be misplaced priority.
It is in this context that the recent recognition of the quality of the services rendered by some police officers would be considered. At the Maiden Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Annual Awards 2012 in Abuja, last Thursday, where some police officers were honoured for outstanding performance, the Inspector- General of Police, IGP, Muhammed Abubakar, noted that the officers were being honoured in recognition of “superior leadership qualities and outstanding performances in running their departments to the fullest potentials, exceptional services, zero tolerance for corruption and transparency, exemplary leadership qualities, among others.” Among the honorees were two Commissioners of Police, two Deputy Commissioners, a Chief Superintendent, an Inspector and a Sergeant, who were outstanding as CID operatives of the year. It is significant that all the recipients were drawn from the Special Fraud Unit, Anti-Fraud Section, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Interpol. This, in itself is a reflection of the type of criminal tendencies exhibited by Nigerians and the determination of the police to confront head-on fraudulent practices, corruption in high and lowly places, and the menace of armed robbers and kidnappers in our society. Thus, as commendable as this initial gesture to the deserving officers may be, it is the consensus that the police need to be better motivated to enable them, discharge their unenviable duties courageously.
The men and officers of the police force and in fact the armed services, apart from contemporary training and equipage, deserve better service conditions that would, in the first place, make service in the police force the first destination of young, intelligent and vibrant school leavers that would be committed to their onerous task of securing lives and property of the entire citizens. The murder of police officers in the course of duty makes this line of thought very imperative. We cannot forget in a hurry the invasion of Odi where 12 police officers were murdered by hoodlums and the recent ambush of a police convoy in Adamawa State where over 100 police officers were allegedly killed by local militia.
Only yesterday gunmen attack in Taraba State reportedly left three police officers dead. These disturbing incidents could demoralise prospective entrants into police service, especially if it is thought that the dependants of the victims may not be provided for after their sudden exit in line of duty. As such an urgent review of the service conditions for the police in such a way to attract youth that would be willing to confront criminals fearlessly cannot be out of place. No amount of motivation in my view would be too much to attract a citizen to place his life on the line for others to sleep in relative peace and comfort. Some are contending that crime is relatively high because of the low level of commitment on the part of the police, most of whom are there because of the acute unemployment situation in the country. This means that their obligation is measured in terms of what they receive at the month’s end in terms of financial reward. It is also, argued that because they operate in a system they perceive to care very little about their welfare, their contribution to social stability notwithstanding, they turned their anger on members of the public by way of extortion to make ends meet.
Therefore, with the newly inaugurated Police Service Commission (PSC), headed by a former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, now in place, deliberate effort should be made to reconsider police welfare packages. That the police live in squalor in their barracks is an understatement, while the rot in the police colleges is legendary. As those saddled with police welfare get set to improve on their service conditions, proper attention must be paid to death benefit for police officers who died in course of duty, as the police appear to be an endangered species for terrorists and armed robbers.
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.