The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone IX, Mr. Patrick Edung, has stated that inter-agency rivalry among security agencies in the country is more frequent among low-ranking personnel.
Edung made this remark while receiving the newly deployed Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Osun State, Mr. Igbalawole Sotiyo, who paid a courtesy visit to him at the command headquarters in Osogbo, Osun State.
A statement from the NSCDC Osun Command spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, obtained in Osogbo on Friday, said the visit was aimed at addressing the recent assault on NSCDC personnel by Nigeria Police officers in Osun State.
Speaking further during the visit, the AIG, who acknowledged the importance of inter-agency collaboration, noted that no single security agency can tackle the security challenges facing the country.
“Inter-service rivalry predominantly occurs at the rank-and-file level, whereas senior officers demonstrate strong cooperation and synergy. We encourage all agencies to foster a culture of collaboration, leveraging inter-agency partnerships to enhance national security.
“The altercation between the agencies is condemnable. It is a public disgrace. We assure you that an impartial investigation will be conducted, as directed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun,” the AIG further said in a statement by Adeleke.
Earlier, Osun NSCDC Commandant Sotiyo expressed displeasure over the incident, stating that all public servants should be guided by the Public Service Rules, which do not condone physical brutality.
He stressed that when conflicts arise, higher authorities should step in to resolve the issue for the sake of peace.
The PUNCH earlier reported that the Osun commands of the Nigerian Police Force and NSCDC exchanged accusations following an attack on NSCDC personnel on guard duty at Elizabeth Estate, Abere, identified only as Owoeye, by some police operatives on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.