Niger Coup : IGP Orders Security Beef Up At Borders
… Says over 9,000 suspects nabbed in 50 days, 639 arms, 4,441 ammunition recovered
Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun
In a bid to forestall possible spill over of military unrest in Niger Republic following the recent coup the acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has directed all Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) of states and formations that have borders with neighbouring countries, especially Niger Republic, to beef up security at the borders.
Egbetokun gave the directive at a meeting of strategic police managers and senior officers, CPs and above, assuring that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would continue to monitor the situation to ensure deployment of adequate personnel for the maintainance of internal security in those areas.
He noted that the NPF was working in synergy with other sister security agencies like Nigerian Customs Service to ensure effective internal security management around the border axis.
According to the police boss, “Force is poised to provide all necessary support to the federal government as it seeks workable solutions and succor to the present economic situation in the country, and following the recent events in the ECOWAS Sub-Region … to ensure the maintenance of stability along the borderlines.”
The IGP urged members of the public to engage the police on suspicious activities by individuals and groups in their communities, evwn as he assured that actionable intelligence provided the Force would be treated with confidentiality.
Speaking on the achievements of the Force in the last 50 days following his appointment as police boss, he disclosed that police operatives across the country had arrested 986 armed robbery suspects, 390 kidnap suspects including bandits, 848 homicide suspects, 297 other for possession of prohibited firearms, 517 rape suspects, 874 suspected cultists, as well as 5,328 others for other offences.
He added that 639 firearms of various calibres, including AK47 and other assault rifles, 4,441 assorted ammunition, and 266 stolen vehicles were recovered the suspects, just as 363 kidnap victims were rescued and reunited with their families.
While commending all the commands for the professional manner in which the recent protest by the citizens and the organised Labour was managed such that no casualty was recorded, Egbetokun disclosed that the management strategy employed will be adopted as a template for operational control of protests across the country henceforth.
speaking further the police boss said, “As part of our crime management tactics to address the trending crimes in the country, the NPF under my watch has commenced the process of invigorating the Police Mobile Force (PMF) which remains our statutory striking arm.
“We have started the process of mobilising 40,000 strong and willing Police personnel who are expected to be drawn from the existing PMF Squadrons, State/Zonal Police Commands and other tactical Units of the Force. It is imperative for the Heads of these Commands and Formations to give maximum cooperation to the Mobilization Team.
“In the period under review, I flagged off the distribution of cheques to cover Insurance benefits to next-of-kins of officers who paid the supreme price and those who have suffered permanent deformities in the course of discharging their lawful duties.
“To foster a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with retired officers, I recently held a meeting with the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON) to understand their needs and concerns. As a result, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Department of Finance and Administration has been designated as the dedicated focal person for the Association.
“This decision ensures that all issues and inquiries raised by police retirees will receive prompt attention and appropriate solutions, affirming our commitment to supporting those who have served our communities diligently throughout their careers. “Furthermore, we have instituted a committee led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Research and Planning to take up the concerns on the Police Pension Bill and advise on necessary steps towards its ascent by Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief.
“Recognising the importance of cutting-edge technology in modern law enforcement, we recently relaunched the PoliceVGS Quick Emergency Reporting and Response System (QERRS), a smart policing initiative aimed at revolutionizing police response to emergencies and ensuring swift and efficient action in critical situations.
“The Police-VGS QERRS, an additional option to the already launched C4i-NPF Rescue Me App, is an application that has been modeled to ensure prompt response and referral in the event of emergencies such as accidents, natural disasters, medical emergencies, criminal incident reporting, and intelligence sharing amongst others.
“In addition, the Digitalized Central Motor Registry which is already operational, has received a boost from all areas of our society. The DCMR application has been a blessing to our collective security in many areas and it will be continually updated to match up with present realities in Nigeria.”
Source: www.blueprint.ng
