President Muhammadu Buhari has approved an enhanced salary structure for officers of the Nigeria police force.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu said the new salary structure is aimed at boosting the performance of the officers.

In a statement, Shehu quoted Buhari as saying that his administration would continue to give attention to the operational needs of the force to “restore its lost primacy” in the internal security framework of the country.

The president was quoted as saying this when members of the Nigeria Police Service Commission and the leadership of the force visited paid him a “thank you” visit over the approval.

Buhari also regretted that the inability of the police in their constitutional role had led to military involvement in the maintenance of law and order throughout the country.

“From Taraba to Sokoto, to the south-south, people don’t feel secure until they see the military,” the president said.

“I am pleased to make the increase in salary and allowances in the hope that it will increase the performance index of the police and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security system.

“The military should be reserved for higher tasks. The police should be able to cope well with the challenges of armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and such crimes.

“In every town and village, there is the presence of the police. From all these places, they should be able to forward first class intelligence to you on which to act.

“There is a need to amplify the question of more men of the police, especially given the condition we are in – emergency in the north-east, pervasive insecurity and abduction for ransom and banditry in many parts of the country.”