The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun on Monday disclosed that a new police Special Squad will be formed.
Egbetokun said modalities for the creation of the new special squad – the Special Intervention Squad have been initiated.
He said the special squad, which shall consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers, will tackle numerous challenges that require a proactive and strategic operational approach to surmount.
The IGP spoke at the meeting with Squadron, Special Protection Unit (SPU), and Tactical Commanders held at the IGP conference hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
He said the Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel and all tactical units in the country.
The officers, the police boss, said will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil.
Egbetokun said: “They will be deployed to intervene rapidly and proactively in any situation necessary in their states of assignment. All Tactical Commanders will be involved in the process of identifying suitable candidates from within their respective units. These individuals should possess the necessary skills, agility, experience, character, and commitment to excel in the challenging and demanding environments they will encounter. The new special squad will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to combat evolving criminal activities, insurgency, and other security threats, especially the activities of non-state actors.
“We will henceforth be more proactive and be ready to take the fight to the criminals’ den. Furthermore, in order to optimize the efficiency of our resources, we shall carry out a re-evaluation of the responsibilities assigned to the PMF”.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
