NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
The menace of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery in Northern Nigeria will soon be a thing of the past if the Inspector General of Police’s charge is ahead too. The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has charged members of the Special Intervention Squad, SIS to comprehensively deal with any security breach in the region. He said criminal elements threatening the peace of the country must be brought to heel.
IGP Egbetokun gave the charge on Monday during the graduation ceremony of the 169-strong personnel at the Police Mobile Force Training School, Ende Hills, Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State. The Police boss said the squad evolved from the need to find radical strategies to combat the lingering threats to peace and order in the country “This elite unit has been meticulously crafted to fill a physical gap in our current system, providing a robust mechanism for rapid response and high-impact intervention.”
He attested to the rigorous preparations that the participants have undergone, which primes them for the task ahead. “These officers have been trained to navigate complex high-tension situations with precision, ensuring that they are prepared to act swiftly in scenarios demanding expert attention,” noting that the establishment of the unit is premised on revamping and redirecting the concept of policing in the country. This he said is geared towards ensuring the safety of the nation, where citizens are at peace wherever they live, work or conduct their businesses.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State lauded President Bola Tinubu for his investment in the security architecture of the country. “I want to join the Minister[for Police Affairs] by appreciating President Bola Tinubu for his belief in Nigeria and his continued support to the Nigerian Police and indeed, all the security agencies that are today witnessing this event.” He also thanked the police authorities for converting a hitherto notorious hangout for criminals into a haven. “In the past, this was an area bad people selected to be their operational base; attacking motorists. We have solved so many problems converting ‘Many Have Gone’ to Many Have Come’
The Ambassador of the United States of America to Nigeria, Richard Mills, noted that the squad is not conceived as a reaction to the insecurity preponderant in the country but as a foresight to enhance the safety of all. The envoy who was represented by Shawn Jameel Garvin, the senior Advisor for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, charged the graduates to uphold the ethics of their training and discharge their responsibilities professionally. “You are the protectors of the people of Nigeria. You must be the embodiment of resilience. Build bridges of trust and cooperate with the community you serve.
The training was undertaken by the Nigeria Police in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.