LAGOS – A deeply emotional reflection by Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Iniedu A.O., Head of the Complaint Response Unit at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, has highlighted the sacrifices of officers and renewed calls for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and citizens.
Recounting his experience at a recent police parade on Tuesday, the senior officer described a moment of profound personal remembrance, seeing traces of his late father, a fallen officer, in the ceremonial conduct of serving personnel. “Not my father himself, he paid the ultimate price years ago. But in the crisp salute of a young constable, I saw him,” he said.
He noted that the occasion stirred memories of growing up in the barracks, where duty often overshadowed family life due to the constant risks associated with policing. According to him, “we grew up where ‘daddy is at work’ meant daddy might not come back,” underscoring the emotional realities faced by families of officers.
CSP Iniedu disclosed that the solemn bugle played in honour of fallen officers revived painful memories, emphasizing the heavy price many families continue to pay. “In the silence that fell when the bugle honoured the fallen, I heard the phone calls that never came home,” he added.
Reflecting on his emotional response, he said his tears were not a sign of weakness but a burden of memory and sacrifice. “Today, I wept. Not from weakness, but from the weight of memory,” he stated, adding that he also mourned colleagues and course mates who died in active service.
The senior officer used the moment to stress the need to bridge the gap between the police and the public. “The gap between police and citizen is not filled by blame. It is filled by bridges,” he said, calling for mutual trust and understanding.
He urged Nigerians to see police officers as partners in nation building, noting that those in uniform are part of the same society they serve. “The officer standing night watch in your street is someone’s child,” he said, appealing for greater public cooperation in security efforts.
CSP Iniedu further emphasized that effective policing requires shared responsibility. “Transparency is our pledge to you. Collaboration is our request of you. Accountability is our covenant with you,” he declared.
While acknowledging that the Force is not without its challenges, he maintained that officers remain committed to their duty. “We are not perfect. But we are present. And we choose every single day to stand between danger and the people we swore to protect,” he said.
The statement ended with a call for unity and collective responsibility in strengthening national security, alongside prayers for the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
