Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has warned the public against denigrating the image of the police whose duty is to protect lives and property.

Idris issued the warning during a courtesy call on him by members of anti-terrorism civil rights organisation called, Nigerians Unite Against Terror, who came with a promise to assist in fighting terrorism and all other forms of violence in the country.

The NUAT team was led by its Convener, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Director of Publicity, Bako Abdul Usman; General Secretary, Prince Goodluck Obi and Director of Campaign, Huzayn Aliu Adams.

According to him, the image of the Nigeria police has improved going by the recent ranking by a Briton, Bob Arnold, whose independent assessment of the Nigeria Police Force “within the perception of the public”, gave a 98 per cent score.

Based on this assessment, Idris promised to set up a special committee comprising the police and members of the Civil Society Organisations to interface and work together towards working out a strategy on how to improve the public image of the police.

Idris said the desire to cleanse the police of bad eggs necessitated the declaration of his assets before becoming IGP, saying “every police officer must declare their assets.”

He said when he took over, he had promised to be guided by two major principles and police core value in line with international best practices and democratic policing.

While warning against the continuos destruction of the image of the police, the Acting Inspector-General of Police said the public should maintain the doctrine of reciprocity of respect.