To launch special forces’ SIS in 10 states
From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has vowed to combat violent crimes under his administration.
He disclosed this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 4th edition of the senior police officers conference and retreat holding in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
According to the police chief, the gathering of the senior police officers will ” represents the broadest, most diverse and richest professional engagement by senior police officers in the country.
Adding that “It is also a platform for the force leadership to critically assess the security situation in the country with a view to adequately confronting the array of challenges in the internal security space”.
Speaking on the theme of the meeting “Fostering Economic Prosperity, Social Integration and Political Development through Enhanced Internal Security Mechanism” Egbetokun said it is derived from the policing vision of the new police leadership in the country which he noted is “Emplacing a professionally competent, service driven, rule of law compliant and citizen friendly police force which will support the agenda of government in fostering economic recovery and growth as well as social integration and political development of Nigeria”.
Egbetokun however maintained that at the end of the retreat it is expected that important strategic objectives which will shape the policies of the police force and drive its new policing vision.
While assuring that there would be a total reform of the police force in line with the vision of the Nigeria President Bola Tinubu, he equally promised that rights of the citizens and welfare of his men would be greatly uphold.
Revealing how his administration will respond to the insecurity challenge in the country, he said “Police Force under my watch is poised to confront head on the menace of violent crimes in our country, restore calm to troubled areas and engender an atmosphere of peace, safety and security which will promote national economic growth and prosperity.
Also buttressed his assurance by the establishment of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), a standby team of specially trained officers which he explained will rapidly intervene in major incidents.
Explaining further on the roles of the SIS team, he said “The Squad will be deployed in each command to deal with the state’s salient security challenges.
“Concrete steps have already been taken to facilitate the smooth take-off of the SIS in Ten (10) pilot states, already identified based on the recent violent crime assessment carried out in all the Thirty-six (36) states of the federation and the FCT, while the other Twenty (27) states will immediately follow.
“I wish to express gratitude to Mr. President and Commander in Chief of the armed forces President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his kind approval for the specialised training (starting next month) of the initial team of instructors for the SIS. Thank you, Mr President.
He also revealed that reform will take care of the old habits of the officers. “The Force recognises that good attitudinal and professional conduct of our officers are central to attaining the ideals we have chosen to embrace as the lead agency in Nigeria’s internal security.
“The Nigeria Police Force is conscious of the fact that in our duty to secure society and restore peace and public order, are our indispensable partners. The Force is determined to further refine the perception of our officers to the essential concepts of human rights, the rule of law, and citizen-focused policing.
“Consequently, a specially packaged reorientation programme for officers has commenced. Furthermore, it has been directed that a renewed emphasis should be placed on psychological and attitudinal training for all new recruits at police training schools and colleges.
On his method of tackling bother crimes ,he said “Recognising the international and cross-border nature of major crimes and the need for more collaboration with our partners, I have vigorously engaged international partners to create synergy in combating major crimes.
He also added “In recent weeks, I attended the Global Public Security Cooperation Conference in China and engaged with the Chinese officials led by the Minister of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China. The visit to China has attracted greater support of the Chinese government for the Nigeria Police Force.
“This is evidenced in the immediate action taken by the Chinese government to extend invitation to the Nigeria Police to train fifteen (15) of our Officers in Cyber Crime in China to be fully sponsored by the Chinese government.
Also highlighting aims of the conference the police boss said “as we tap into the wealth of experience of security experts, engage in peer review and cross-fertilisation of ideas.
“The deliberations will assist senior officers in understanding the priorities of the Police management team to effectively conceptualise and subsequently actualise the policing mandate of the Force and fulfil the desires of the government and the expectations of the public for enduring peace and prosperity in our country,” Egbetokun stated.