In a bid to enhance internal security in the country, the acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has made a firm commitment to withdrawing Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel from VIP escort and guard duties. This announcement comes as Egbetokun unveils the establishment of the Special Intervention Squad, comprising 40,000 highly trained police officers, including selected personnel from the PMF.
During a recent meeting with Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders in Abuja, Egbetokun emphasized the need for the police to reclaim their role in the internal security architecture of Nigeria. He stated, “Modalities for the creation of a new special squad, the Special Intervention Squad, have been initiated to kick-start the process of regaining our pride of place in the internal security architecture of our dear country.”
The Special Intervention Squad will consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers, selected from the pool of existing PMF personnel and other tactical units across the nation. These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to equip them for frontline operational duties in all states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas experiencing unrest and turmoil.
Egbetokun highlighted the importance of pooling together the expertise and experience of the PMF personnel and other tactical units to establish a formidable force capable of addressing the evolving security challenges. This move aims to ensure that the police can promptly respond to security threats. The plan is to deploy 1,000 personnel from the new squad to every state, with additional officers allocated to more troubled regions.
“Our presence will be felt, and our response will be effective in every corner of our country,” Egbetokun stated. He emphasized that the dedicated force will not engage in routine police duties but will remain combat-ready at all times, participating in daily training activities to intercept and neutralize high-profile criminals and those terrorizing communities.
The acting Inspector General of Police further emphasized that the Special Intervention Squad will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to combat evolving criminal activities, insurgency, and other security threats, particularly those posed by non-state actors.
As part of the restructuring, PMF officers will be withdrawn from VIP escort and guard duties. Egbetokun clarified that while the protection of dignitaries remains important, realigning priorities is crucial to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation. The focus and efforts of the PMF will be redirected toward tackling critical security concerns that affect communities at large. The PMF officers will be replaced by officers from the Special Protection Unit, as necessary.
To ensure a seamless implementation of this strategy, a special committee headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) has been established. The committee will assess and advise on the best approach, with a report expected within two weeks.
With these initiatives, the acting Inspector General of Police aims to strengthen internal security, enhance the responsiveness of law enforcement agencies, and restore public confidence in the police force.
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