We Rely on You to Up Our Game, Deliver Properly – CP Alabi Tells Media
By Eric Elezuo
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Sylvester Abiodun Alabi with delegate Members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP during the Media Parley at the Police Officers’ Mess, GRA, Ikeja
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, has promised the media, especially those operating from Lagos, that the Command, under his watch, will further deepen the relationship between the fourth estate of the realm and the Police, stressing that the Police rely on the media to function appropriately.
The CP made this remarks Tuesday during a media parley with members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) among other media outlets at the Police Officers Mess, Ikeja.
“The Police and the media are partners in progress. I am going to work in synergy with the fourth estate of the realm. This parley will be constant, not only on security, but also on areas of common interest,” he noted.
CP Sylvester Abiodun Alabi addressing the Pressmen at the Media Parley
Emphasising the importance of the press, Alabi remarked that it is only one, who does not know his onions that will relegate the media to the background. He recognised the media as the brain behind collation and dissemination of information, while totally mirroring the society.
“The media mirrors the society and disseminates information up to entertainment. We know you are very unique and very relevant in issues of the society. We rely on you to up our game and deliver properly,” Alabi added.
CP Sylvester Abiodun Alabi
Responding to NAOSNP’s question on how the command intends to rein in most officers of the command, who takes pleasure in bullying journalists at functions and meetings, the CP, who has a credit in human relationship, especially as it involves the force and members of the fourth estate, said:
“All our officers of whatever cadre are being trained and retrained, and a definite change is in the offing in the next couple of days. We have said before, and we are saying it again, no Police officer, who maltreats a member of the public will be tolerated.”
L-R: President, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, Comrade Oki Samson with the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Sylvester Abiodun Alabi during the Media Parley at the Police Officers’ Mess, GRA, Ikeja
In addition, the cop, who informed that he is not new in policing, especially as regards the terrain of Lagos State, having served 12 years non-stop in the state in the past (2002 – 2013), where he was also the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Ikeja Police Station, also stressed that under his mandate, the relationship between the Police and the public will positively improve, noting that no policeman will maltreat a citizen. He said that where a call for arrest is necessary, it will be done with utmost professionalism.
“Under my watch, no one will be unjustly maltreated, and no policeman will behave unruly with the members of the public. We will also incorporate community policing to enhance the corporate effectiveness of the force,” he promised.
While rounding off the parley, CP Alabi commended NAOSNP as a credible Association in the scheme of preserving integrity and upholding safety and security, especially in Lagos State.
Alabi, who was previously with the Bauchi State Command, took over from the immediate past CP, Hakeem Odumosu, who was elevated to the rank of the Assistant Inspector General of Police before being retired.
