Police IGP Unveils Special Force For Quick Intervention In Security Hot Spots
Acting Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, has unveiled the blueprint of his plan to establish a 40,000 strong special intervention squad, for police quick response to security threats nationwide.
The squad, according to him, would comprise selected highly trained elite officers from the mobile police force and tactical units.
A special committee has been set up headed, by the deputy inspector general in-charge of operations, to advise on the set up of the special force, within two weeks.
Egbetokun unveiled his plan at a meeting with commanders of mopol force and other police tactical units at the force headquarters, Abuja.
He explained that 1,000 of the special forces would be posted to each of the 36 states, while the remaining 4,000 would be on standby to intervene in troubled spots.
The police chief, further explained that personnel of the proposed squad, would not perfom routine duties, but housed and kept combat ready, engaged in daily training, in readiness for intercepting and neutralising high profile criminals.
The IGP said this would be achieved through a robust and effective human and technical intelligence gathering process to enhance the capacity of personnel.
“By harnessing the power of technology, we can make our streets safer, our investigations more efficient and our communities more resilient.
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“We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be proactive in our approaches by equally collaborating with other security agencies, both domestic and international to strengthen our intelligence network,” he added.
The I-G said his administration would also prioritise the enhancement of the Nigeria Police training curriculum
with special focus on attitudinal and behavioural changes for new recruits and reorientation programme for serving officers.
The police boss said the idea was to further refine the perception of officers to concepts of human rights, rule of law and citizen-focused policing.
He said the new training curriculum would be produced with inbuilt tests, designed to weed out individuals with negative mentality and high tendency for violence from recruits.
The I-G said his administration would also make a case for improved welfare for officers to ensure the availability of resources, trainings and support necessary to carry out their duties professionally.
“To this end, my administration will intensify collaboration with relevant stakeholders for the resuscitation of the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical services.
“This will serve as a confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers,” he said.
