Professionalism: Adamawa CP vows sweeping reforms, reads riot act to personnel
The Adamawa State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to entrench professionalism, respect for human rights, and accountability in its operations, as part of sweeping reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in policing.
Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, made the pledge on Friday, October 3, 2025, during the third quarter review of the Command’s activities and an interactive session with Heads of Departments (HODs) and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) at the Police Headquarters, Yola.
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While presenting the Command’s achievements between July and September 2025, CP Morris stressed that beyond arrest figures and crime statistics, the focus of his leadership is on reforming police conduct in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the provisions of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
According to him, the Command has resolved to stamp out unprofessional practices, particularly unlawful involvement in civil disputes, human rights violations, and corrupt tendencies among officers.
“Our duties are strictly guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act, 2020. Any deviation from these provisions will attract serious consequences,” he declared.
CP Morris issued a stern warning to officers against meddling in civil matters such as debt recovery, tenancy disputes, contractual disagreements, and family issues, which fall outside the police mandate. He said such actions erode public trust and amount to abuse of office.
On land disputes, the police chief reminded personnel that only civil courts have jurisdiction.
“The unlawful arrest or intimidation of parties in land conflicts is a violation of constitutional rights and will not be tolerated,” he cautioned.
The Commissioner also emphasized the sanctity of fundamental human rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. He directed all officers to respect the dignity, liberty, and fair hearing rights of citizens, warning that arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions constitute gross misconduct.
In line with reform efforts, the Command has adopted a zero-tolerance against corruption and extortion. Morris said the misuse of civil disputes as a pretext for bribery or intimidation is a serious offence. He urged the public to report any officer found engaging in corrupt practices, assuring that such cases would be dealt with decisively.
Leadership accountability, he added, will also be strictly enforced. DPOs, HODs, and senior police officers will be held responsible for the misconduct of their subordinates.
“Failure to supervise your men will be treated as dereliction of duty and leadership failure,” he stressed.
Despite the emphasis on reforms, the Command also recorded significant operational breakthroughs during the quarter under review.
A total of 72 suspects were arrested for offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, sexual offences, and theft. Of these, 57 have been charged to court, while 15 remain under investigation.
”The Command also successfully rescued several victims of abduction, including 13 trafficked children recovered through the efforts of ACP Shuaibu Wara, and five more rescued in Mubi by ACP Markus Mancha. In another operation, Gombi Division operatives working with local hunters rescued a kidnapped victim after a gun battle with abductors,” he said.
According to the CP some of the recoveries made within the period included 15 firearms, 111 rounds of live ammunition, seven stolen vehicles, and 25 rustled cattle, all of which are being returned to rightful owners.
Acknowledging the vital role of citizens in crime fighting, Morris expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for consistent support to security agencies, and to residents of Adamawa State for providing timely intelligence.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to embrace the “See Something, Say Something” campaign.
The Commissioner commended officers of the Command for their dedication but urged them to “redouble efforts to safeguard the state, uphold ethics, and shun brutality, corruption, or any act inconsistent with our noble profession.”
He noted that the third quarter was relatively calm and peaceful compared to previous periods, attributing the success to a blend of strategic operations and internal reforms. He reiterated that the Command’s mandate is to serve and protect with fairness, justice, and impartiality.
“Our credibility rests on professionalism, respect for human rights, and accountability. Each time officers meddle in civil matters, violate rights, or engage in corruption, we lose the trust of the public. This must stop, and it must stop now,” he emphasized.
