The Commissioner of Police in Niger, Mr Monday Kuryas on Thursday, retired from the Nigeria Police after 32 years in service.
Delivering his farewell address, the outgoing commissioner expressed gratitude to God for enabling him to reach the peak of his career, saying “I have no regrets whatsoever being a police man.
“If I have another opportunity to return to the world, I will come back a policeman”.
He said that the police command arrested no fewer than 326 suspects for banditry, kidnapping, culpable homicide and other crimes committed in different parts of the state in the last one year.
Kuryas said that 284 major cases were charged to court and successful prosecuted while 42 others are under investigation and awaiting trial.
He lauded the officers and men of the command for demonstrating high level of professionalism while discharging their constitutional mandates.
The police chief attributed his successes in the profession to the cooperation of his men and the goodwill he enjoyed from the public.
“You cannot police effectively without the assistance of the public. With the support of the public, we were able to surmount our challenges,” he said.
He thanked Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger for the support and corporation, urging him to extend same warm working relationship to whoever that would succeed him.
Kuryas urged the officers and men to be wary of politicians with deceitful tendencies but should adhere to professionalism in the discharge of their constitutionally assigned duties.
“Electioneering season is a very delicate period. Be cautious. No police officer should cheaply give himself to politicians to be deceived with a token.
He advised the Federal Government to provide more working facilities for the police for optimal performance.
He also commended traditional rulers and development associations for coming forward with reliable information that made it easier to arrest suspects.
“I appeal to residents to continue to support the police and other security agencies with require information on movement of suspected characters in their midst”,he said.
Gov. Abubakar Bello lauded the retiring commissioner of police for for the dedication to service to the state.
Bello, represented by Commissioner for Home Affairs and Security, Mr Umar Emmanuel, said that the state government appreciated the useful contribution of the police in the state.
The Assistant Secretary of the Police Community Relations Committee, Alhaji Tanko Dada, described the outgoing commissioner of police as an astute police officer who was professional to the core.
Dada wished Kuryas a life of fulfilment and good health outside service, pointing out that the retired senior police officer would remain a reference point to him and other policemen in terms of professional advice.