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Tag: Police Officers

  • FG talks tough, says IPOB/ESN members will not escape justice for abducting, beheading police officers

    FG talks tough, says IPOB/ESN members will not escape justice for abducting, beheading police officers

    The Federal Government has condemned the recent murder of two policemen in the South-East, warning that those who carried out the killings will be apprehended and brought to justice.

    Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, gave the assurance during a press conference in Lagos on Monday.

    Although the Anambra State Police Command had said two officers were attacked in the state over the weekend and their bodies burnt afterward, Mohammed, however, was not specific if the November 27 attack was the same as that which took place in Anambra.

    In a statement issued by his spokesman, Segun Adeyemi, the Minister described the abduction of three policemen and the killing of two of them as the most horrific and barbaric, saying it was an unacceptable attack against the state.

    “We have credible information that ASP Francis Idoko (AP No. 154945); Inspector Emmanuel Akubo (AP No. 222336) and Inspector Rufai Adamu (AP. No. 285009), all serving officers of the Nigeria Police, were abducted by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), acting on the instructions of their leader, Chinonso Okafor, aka TEMPLE, on 27 November 2021,” the Minister said.

    “Two of the officers, Inspectors Akubo and Adamu, were killed in the most gruesome manner and their decapitated bodies videotaped and circulated widely. The leader of the ESN team that killed the two officers is one ‘GENTLE’.

    “Chinonso Okafor, the most influential commander of ESN in charge of Imo and Anambra States, as well as ‘Gentle’ and all those who perpetrated the abhorrent act will be made to face swift and sure justice.”

    He noted that the targeting and killing of security agents, under any guise, is a direct attack on the state and will not be tolerated.

    The Minister wondered why those calling for a political solution to the IPOB issue have yet to condemn the appalling murder of serving police officers.

    He equally paid tribute to the officers, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their fatherland, as well as all security agents who are serving the nation to the best of their abilities in a most difficult moment.

    Mohammed condoled with the families of the slain officers, praying that God will comfort and strengthen them.

  • Bandits kill 13 police officers, injure seven in Zamfara

    Bandits kill 13 police officers, injure seven in Zamfara

    Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, on Sunday in Gusau, expressed shock at the killing of 13 police officers by suspected bandits.

    The police personnel were gunned down at a mobile camp in Kurar Mota community in the Bagudu Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor’s reaction is contained in a statement by Malam Yusuf Idris, Director-General, Media, Public Enlightenment and Communications, Government House, Gusau.

    The statement said Matawalle expressed “devastation“ when he visited seven injured police officers who were receiving treatment at the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau.

    “It was on receipt of the news of the unfortunate incident that the governor immediately rushed to the hospital to sympathise with those currently receiving treatment at the facility.

    “While lamenting the attack, Matawalle promised to partner with other security agencies in the state to track down the attackers and all their sponsors and collaborators with a view to bringing them to justice.

    “The police officers were ambushed at a mobile police camp set up as part of the measures taken by the government to fight bandits in the state.

    “Matawalle, who was highly devastated by the sad incident, said the troops are doing very well at the war front and had decimated the number of insurgents in the area,” the statement said.

    It said the governor would make the attack his major priority until the perpetrators are apprehended or a good level of success made towards their arrest.

    Meanwhile, the Zamfara Police Command had confirmed the killing of the 13 officers with seven others injured by the attackers.

    SP Mohammed Shehu, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), gave the confirmation in a separate statement issued on Sunday.

    “The attack occurred on Sunday at about 1230hrs, when Police Mobile operatives deployed at Kurar Mota Village were responding to a distress call with regards to an attempt by the bandits to attack some nearby communities.

    “The police personnel, who ran into the ambush, exhibited resilience and gallantry by engaging the hoodlums, an effort that deterred the bandits from attacking the communities.

    “Unfortunately, 13 personnel paid the supreme price. However, the bandits on their part suffered heavy casualties,” Shehu said.

    According to the PPRO, the command had launched a manhunt aimed at apprehending the bandits.

    “The Zamfara State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment and determination to sustain its ongoing operation against the activities of recalcitrant bandits and other criminal elements in the state.

    “A Special Anti-Banditry Operation is currently ongoing with a view to tracking down the assailants.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Rabiu, while visiting the injured policemen at the hospital reaffirmed that the unfortunate incident will not discourage the officers and men of the command from discharging their mandate of protecting lives and property of citizens.

    “The Police Commissioner called on every law abiding citizen to join hands with security agencies to successfully end the menace,” the statement said.

  • Photos: Masked gunmen strike again in Anambra, kill three police officers, injure two others

    Photos: Masked gunmen strike again in Anambra, kill three police officers, injure two others

    From Chuks Collins, Awka

     

     

    There seems not to be any reprieve yet from the flash-like operations of the usually heavily armed masked men who have come to be known in local parlance as the ‘Unknown Gun Men’ (UGM).

     

    They struck again at the popular Ekeagu Abatete market intersection in Idemili North Council of Anambra state few hours ago.

    Though it was unclear the number of vehicles they arrived with, but they left three persons suspected to be police officers dead, three vehicle burnt and yet another vehicle with its interior contents scattered.

     

    An eye witness account told reporters who arrived the location shortly after they drove off in flashlight fashion that they wore black masks, dressed in all black jeans trousers and t-shirts.

     

    Witnesses also noted that they sounded kind and humane on arrival when they told visibly agitated bystanders to go about their businesses peacefully, that they didn’t come for them.

    But that all that changed after they set one of the vehicles they arrived with, a Honda Ridgeline double cabin pick-up, on fire and were about driving off.

     

    A three-vehicle convoy that suddenly arrived the scene from Ideani end of the intersection quickly caught their attention. That was when the nozzles of their guns roared again and again, and again, the eyewitnesses noted.

     

    The local vigilante operatives were said to have stormed the scene few minutes after, because “we heard the gunshots and rushed to investigate”, one of them stated.

    They quickly evacuated two of the victims who were still breathing to hospital.

     

    The UGM were said to have set the Honda pickup which was among the vehicles they came with on fire, set two others including a police patrol vehicle recently donated by the Anambra state government on fire too. In fact one of the killed policemen was completely burnt under the patrol vehicle. It was only the Sienna van that was not torched.

     

    At that point when the guns started blazing and bullets started ringing out, all hell were reportedly let loose and the entire crowded Ekeagu Abatete area became a theatre of confusion as people started running in all directions without waiting to know what was happening or to think of where they were actually running to!

     

    Nursing mothers, shops, retailers, keke operators, Okada riders, their passengers and potential passengers, shoppers, roasted corn sellers by the roadsides, fruits sellers, POS operators, commuter buses, dry cleaners, etc all ran away.

     

    Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command was yet to issue a statement confirming the attacks as at the time of filing this story.

     

     

  • Ex-police officers laud Buhari, IGP, NPF Pensions over improved welfare

    Ex-police officers laud Buhari, IGP, NPF Pensions over improved welfare

    By Ikechukwu Amaechi

    Improved welfare and pension now enjoyed by retired police officers has galvanised them to applaud President Muhammadu Buhari and Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.

    They also commend Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Pensions Limited as well and the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for making valiant efforts to improve the welfare of serving and retired police personnel.

    The applause came when NPF Pensions officials, led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Hamza Sule Wuro Bokki, met with more than 2000 retired police officers in Lagos on Tuesday.

    Bokki disclosed that the meeting was at the behest of the IGP and the goal was to acquaint retired police officers with developments in the pension scheme and steps taken by Abuja to improve their welfare.

    He informed the jubilant retirees that in line with Buhari’s approval to pay all outstanding entitlements to all verified and enrolled retirees, PenCom has so far remitted funds to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to pay them for May to November 2020.

    Bokki said the benefits for December 2020 to date will be remitted soon, and by that all officers who retired will be paid.

    He added that the benefits for Death Benefits Batches 90 and 91 have also been released and advised the next of kin of deceased officers and other beneficiaries to commence the paperwork to collect the benefits.

    Buhari’s approval of payment of benefits

    Buhari recently approved PenCom’s submission on the payment of outstanding accrued rights for verified and enrolled retirees of treasury-funded MDAs as well as the backlog of death benefit claims.

    He also approved the payment of 2.5 per cent differential in the rate of employer pension contribution for federal government retirees and employees which resulted from the increase in minimum pension contribution for employers from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent in line with Section 4(1) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014.

    Bokki explained that the settlement of the outstanding accrued pension rights of verified and enrolled retired officers and compliance with the reviewed rate of pension contributions are significant developments that have resolved the challenges that have lingered for nine years.

    He equally explained that the PFA was working flat out to ensure that every policeman that served Nigeria should get a commensurate pension that is not less than what any of their colleagues or peers in other public service sectors get.

    The thinking of the organisation is that if retiring policemen are brought at par with other Nigerian senior citizens, they will have a sense of belonging and feel recognised.

    To ensure this happens, it has recommended that the AIG rank and above be treated like their peers and go with their full salaries after retirement and 300 per cent gratuity.

    Request for that is already at the presidency.

    Aniefiok Udo Essiet, a retired Police Commissioner now Chairman of the Lagos branch of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON), commended NPF Pensions for efficiently managing pension assets.

    Owoseni Fatai, former Lagos State Commissioner of Police – who was once Principal Staff Officer to former IGP M.D. Abubakar – recounted the creation of NPF Pensions.

    He praised Bokki for effectively leading the body to grow pension assets with huge profit which ensures that retirees have better value for their contributions.

    Uniqueness of RRSS

    Owoseni also saluted the PFA for utilising part of their profit as a welfare package – Retirement Resettlement Support Scheme (RRSS) – for retirees before retirement benefits are paid.

    RRSS, which started with N400 million when it was approved by the NPF Pensions Board in 2017, has grown to N500 million.

    Owoseni said it is a unique corporate social responsibility (CSR).

    However, Christopher Ade Atere, a retired Police Commissioner, lamented that many police officers do not know their rights hence they do not follow their money.

    He said NPF Pensions is the best thing to happen to the police and lauded Bokki for his untiring efforts.

    “NPF Pensions Limited is our own and because of the transparency and sincerity of the managing director, every retired policeman can hold his head high. He is so committed to the welfare of the police,” Atere stressed.

    On RRSS, he said: “If you are not in NPF Pensions, you are not qualified for the resettlement scheme, you are not covered for the resettlement scheme. So, it is in your own interest as a policeman that you are in the NPF Pensions family.

    “Dr. Bokki and his management team are doing wonderful things. We have to support them.”

    Other retirees also commended NPF Pensions for making payment of their pensions hassle free. Those who have not benefitted from the RRSS pleaded that they be paid urgently.

    They applauded Baba for initiating the meeting tagged “Retirees Forum” and suggested it be held at least twice in a year to provide retirees with information and a platform for solidarity.

    “Most of us have not seen each other since our retirement. This is a very good opportunity to meet again, interact and relive old times. It is healthy,” said one of the retirees who pleaded anonymity.

    All attendees were given souvenirs and transport fare.

    Zonal meetings

    Others who attended the meeting included DIG Sanusi Lemu, CP Sowemimo Efusola (retired), CP Akinpelu Gbemisola, AIG Adekunle Oladunjoye (retired), DIG Oshodi-Glover Agboola Samuel (retired), CP Samuel Adegboye (retired), CP Oyekunle, and CP Sunmonu Adeyemi Abdulmaliki (retired).

    Bokki disclosed that the parley had been held in Gombe for the North East zone in compliance with Baba’s directive that it should hold in all the six zones.

    The Gombe meeting was attended by Lemu, NPF Pensions Vice Chairman, AIG Muazu Zubairu (retired), AIG Haruna Mishellia (retired), and Secretary of ARPON Gombe State Chapter, CP Abubakar Mohammed (retired).

  • Again, gunmen attack police station in Akwa Ibom, kill eight officers

    Again, gunmen attack police station in Akwa Ibom, kill eight officers

    Information reaching TheNewsGuru.com, TNG on Saturday has it that daredevil gunmen again launched fresh attacks on police officers and facilities in Akwa Ibom State.

    TNG gathered that this time the gunmen took the attacks to a police station in Ini Local Government Area, a border area with Abia State killing eight officers on duty.

    The ruthless assailants also killed an unidentified woman during the attacks.

    TNG reports that the attacks on public facilities particularly police stations in the state has intensified in the last one month.

    On Sunday, May 2nd, hoodlums attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state and also set the building ablaze.

    On Saturday, May 1, unknown gunmen invaded the Ikono Police Divisional Headquarters at Ibiaku Ntok Okpo around 3 am, killing no fewer than two policemen on duty.

    They also burnt down five police vehicles and injured a policewoman on night duty.

    The daredevil gunmen also struck on Wednesday, April 28 killing two policemen manning a checkpoint at Urua Inyang, headquarters of Ika local government area of the state.

    Inimfon Silas, a journalist and chairman of the Federated Chapel of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who hails from the area, said: “the armed hoodlums on several motorcycles, stormed the checkpoint and shot the two officers dead, while others fled, leaving the hoodlums to seize their riffles and set their patrol van ablaze.”

    Meanhwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command is yet to confirm the latest attack.

  • #EndSARS protests: Gov. Ugwuanyi appeals to police officers to return to duty posts

    #EndSARS protests: Gov. Ugwuanyi appeals to police officers to return to duty posts

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Wednesday, passionately appealed to men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to fully renew their ultimate commitment towards the provision of security of lives and property by returning to their duty posts across the state.

    Gov. Ugwuanyi made the appeal when he visited the Senior Police Officers Mess, Agbani Road, Enugu, to address and commiserate with the members of the Enugu State Police Command, over loss of lives of private citizens and security personnel, grievous bodily injuries as well as destruction of private and public properties including security infrastructure.

    The governor who described the mayhem unleashed by miscreants and hoodlums that hijacked the hitherto peaceful #EndSARS protests as “an unusual and challenging period for the Police Force” pointed out that it was needless and “an ill-wind that blew no one any good”.

    Gov. Ugwuanyi stated that his administration “in our sensitivity to the mood and pains of the society under our watch,” has set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to determine the loss of lives and other damages and has also taken time to inspect the various degrees and nature of damage arising from the hijacked protests.

    He added that his administration earnestly awaits the recommendations of the panel, reiterating its commitment to implement same with a view to soothing the pains of the security personnel and private citizens who were victims of the mayhem.

    Noting that the psyche of the officers and men of the Police Force have been assaulted by the recent sad experience, the governor, who called for a minute’s silence for the deceased, expressed concern that “the self-evident low morale of the Police Force occasioned by the fallout of the #EndSARS protests has, in our judgment, increased the likelihood of crime in the state.

    “I therefore passionately implore you to fully renew your commitment to the provision of security of lives and property in the state, as was the case before the protests. The good people of Enugu State had, before now, enjoyed your excellent policing service and wish that you come fully on stream and return to all the security posts in the state”, he said.

    While thanking the people of Enugu State for their prayers, support and solidarity “in this challenging period”, Gov. Ugwuanyi equally urged them to renew their cooperation and partnership with the personnel of the security agencies to sustain the tempo of peace and good governance in the state.

    Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Abdurrahman, expressed the deepest appreciation of the Command to Gov. Ugwuanyi for his humility, sense of responsibility, concern, care and love.

    Abdurrahman also commended the governor for finding it necessary and expedient, in spite of his tight schedule, to come and commiserate with the men and officers of the Command, over the unfortunate fallout of the #EndSARS protests.

    The CP maintained that the visit signified that “we are under a very comfortable hand and care”.

    He therefore urged the police officers to pray for the governor as well as extend “our love, dedication and patriotism to him to enable him comfortably discharge his responsibilities that God has placed on his shoulders”.

  • #EndSARS: Lagos releases identities of 21 police officers facing trial

    #EndSARS: Lagos releases identities of 21 police officers facing trial

    The Lagos State Government has identified 21 police officers undergoing criminal trials for trampling on the fundamental human rights of residents.

    The policemen are facing prosecution in different courts for charges that ranged from murder to other minor offences.

    The list showed that ten policemen are facing murder and attempted murder in various courts, seven are facing charges of various degrees of manslaughter, three cases of armed robbery and conspiracy, one grievous bodily harm.

    The policemen facing charges include: Inspector Surulere Irede, Sgt Sunday Ogunyemi; Cpl Ezekiel Babatunde; Ogunyemi Olalekan; Sgt Gbanwuan Isaac; Aminu Joseph; Sgt Alechenu Benedict; Sgt Adebayo Abdullahi; Inspector A. Mohammed, and Mathew Ohansi.

    Others include Sgt Segun Okun; Capt Adekunle Oluwarotimi; Adamu Dare, Sgt Mark Argo, Cpl Pepple Boma, Inspector Emmanuel Akpobana, Emmanuel Uyankweke, Akanbi Lookman, Edokhe Omokhue, Afolabi Saka, Monday Gabriel, Yahya Adesina, and Aremu Museliu.

    According to Lagos State Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), the state has always been committed to the prosecution of erring security officers.

    Onigbanjo enjoined the public to keep track of the cases as state lawyers diligently prosecute them in the interest of the public.

  • NDDC Crisis: Why I stopped Nunieh’s ‘abduction’ by over 50 police officers from IG’s monitoring team – Wike

    NDDC Crisis: Why I stopped Nunieh’s ‘abduction’ by over 50 police officers from IG’s monitoring team – Wike

    Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has explained he intervened in the alleged police invasion of the residence of a former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr Joy Nunieh to save her from abduction.

    Wike, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communucation, Paulinus Nsirim, called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately investigate the saga.

    He said it was expedient to probe why over 50 armed policemen stormed the Port Harcourt residence of Nunieh at 4am on Thursday.

    He insisted he was on ground to frustrate the attempted abduction and berated the self-styled armed policemen, who claimed to be members of the Inspector General Monitoring Unit.

    The Governor said under a civilised society, the proper thing to do was to invite her to answer to any allegation.

    He said: “But to storm her residence at such an unholy hour suggests some sinister motive that should not be tolerated.

    “What has happened today is a disgrace. Who knows what would have happened to her if they had gained access to her main room? I went there personally to see things for myself and rescued her.

    “She is supposed to testify before the House of Representatives Committee and here we are having armed men wanting to abduct her.

    “We came out to protect our daughter and we will do so to every Rivers citizen. That is the oath of office I swore to. It doesn’t matter the political affiliation. We will not allow anybody to destroy Rivers state.

    “It is so unfortunate and I cry for this country concerning the ways things are going. They didn’t have a warrant of arrest, but would storm somebody’s house, in fact, the State Commissioner of Police is not aware.

    ” So, tell me how something will happen in a state and the Commissioner of Police is not aware? They said it’s the Inspector General Monitoring Unit.

    “So, we have such a unit taking over the responsibility of crime fighting in a state and the Commissioner of Police is not aware? I can also assume too that the Inspector General of Police is not aware. He should investigate it”.

    The Governor also called on his colleagues in the NDDC to ensure that their citizens did not have a hand in the planned abduction of the former Managing Director of NDDC.

    He said: “If there is any allegation of crime against her, I will not back her but you can’t kill her for no established crime. I don’t know who’s responsible but whoever is behind it should not take Rivers state for granted because we will fight back.

    “From what has happened now, I want to say that Rivers State is fully out. Anybody who is responsible for this attempted abduction of our daughter, should know that enough is enough.

    “They can’t treat her as a common criminal. I am sure that President Muhammadu Buhari is not aware of this.

    “All the Niger Delta States should find out if any of their citizens have a hand in the unfortunate incident and call on such people to leave our daughter alone. She is no longer the Managing Director of NDDC.

    “The way things are going now, it seems people want to destroy Rivers State and it is unacceptable.

    “Using the police to carry out abduction of citizens should not be encouraged. A similar incident had happened in this state before when they wanted to use the same style to abduct a serving Judge”.

    Nunieh, who thanked Wike for coming to her rescue, said the armed policemen came about 4am, broke into her premises but were stopped by the security door leading to her main room.

    She said: “Those who told me the Commissioner of Police was downstairs lied because it was his deputy that actually came.

    “I opened the door and they wanted to grab me. I pushed back the door and locked it and went upstairs.

    “So, my Governor came, asked them for the warrant of arrest and why they did not invite me to the police station instead of attempting to abduct a woman like a criminal.

    “The Governor took me away in his car and I am taking refuge in Government House. I want to thank His Excellency for keeping to his word that nothing should happen to a daughter of Rivers State.

    “I was supposed to be going to Abuja today to make my submission before the Committee of the House of Representatives. I am sure the motive was to stop me”.

  • IGP orders immediate withdrawal of all police officers serving at EFCC

    IGP orders immediate withdrawal of all police officers serving at EFCC

    The Inspector-General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu on Friday directed the immediate withdrawal of all police operatives serving at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The directive which was contained in a signal to the Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Police Mobile Force (PMF), PMF Squadrons one to 79, Force Secretary and Commissioners of Police of all the state commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also directed that the exact number withdrawn be replaced with new operatives.

    According to the order, only staff of EFCC should be allowed access into the premises, while withdrawn police personnel from PMF 21, 44, 45, 46 and 50 must report to the Force Headquarters by 8am on Monday.

  • Fraud: Stop indiscriminate arrest of youths carrying laptops, Buhari warns police officers

    Fraud: Stop indiscriminate arrest of youths carrying laptops, Buhari warns police officers

    President Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force against harassing young people in their bid to arrest ‘yahoo criminals’.

    Buhari handed down this warning in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers on Monday in Lagos.

    The theme of the retreat is “Repositioning the Force for the Challenges of Effective Policing in the 21st Century.’’

    Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari said that the service the police force rendered was one Nigerians could not do without as it was the closest to the grassroots.

    According to him, there are police stations everywhere and the police above every other service represent law and order to the average Nigerian.

    “Which is why the police cannot escape public scrutiny and sometimes criticism; Nigerian people old and young want our Police force to be better and to do better; they want to be even prouder of your service than ever before.

    “This is why in some of our urban areas we want to see more compliance with the rule of law and in dealing with Nigerians.

    “Recently many civil society groups have complained about the arrest of young men and women just because they look successful and are carrying laptops.

    “Yes we must apprehend yahoo criminals but we cannot harass young men and women on the streets and in taxis most of whom are merely going about their legitimate businesses.

    “There are also cases of extrajudicial killings and injuries; misuse of weapons and excessive use of force by some members of the force.

    “This sort of conduct by a few bad police officers must stop, and it is the duty of you senior and strategic leaders of the Police force to ensure that impunity of any kind is discouraged and punished where it is found.’’

    Buhari said that the Nigeria Police force was one of the proudest National assets as it was the largest police force in Africa.

    He said that the force had some of the best trained and best-educated men and women.

    The president said that Nigerian policemen had served everywhere locally and internationally with outstanding results.

    “The Nigeria police force led police peacekeeping activities in Congo, Namibia, Angola, Western Sahara, Somalia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Afghanistan, Kosovo, East Timor.

    “Locally in the past one year alone the Nigeria police has between January and this month arrested over; 2,348 Armed Robbery suspects – 1,412 Suspected kidnappers 694 Murder Suspects, 1,513 cultists safely rescued 826 Kidnap victims, recovered-1,660 firearms and 1612 vehicles.

    “In the course of duty so many have paid the supreme price; while fighting off robbers, kidnappers and other criminals many have been maimed for life.’’

    He said that special training were being organised for the Special Units of the Police including the Police Mobile Force, Special Forces, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Anti-Robbery detachments, Anti-Kidnapping Squads and the Criminal Investigation.

    The president said that resources had been put into acquiring and deploying electro-muscular disruption technology-based weaponry which is commonly known as Taser or Stun Guns for low-risk police operations.

    According to him, the Federal government has facilitated the passage of the Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, which has since assented.

    “I understand that the Minister of Police Affairs is now working closely with the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the smooth take-off of the Fund.

    “Furthermore, our effort in embracing community policing as a national security strategy is also informed by the need to close the trust gap between the Police and the citizens, build partnership and strengthen collaboration with communities towards addressing prevalent security threats.

    “We have made steady progress in this regard. An important part of the strategy is to recruit new personnel from within local governments and ensure that after training such new police officers remain within their local government. Policing must as much as possible be local.

    “It is also within this context that the Federal government approved the recruitment of 10,000 junior cadre officers into the Nigeria Police on an annual basis.

    “Beyond this, we shall continue to support the leadership of the Nigeria Police in their personnel capacity development programmes at the various Police Training facilities.

    “All these internal security initiatives will, of course, remain ineffectual if the personnel at the strategic level of policing in Nigeria lack the optimal professional capacity to drive the strategies,’’ he said.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Inspector General of Police (IG-P), Mohammed Adamu, said that constant engagement of strategic managers and consistent training and retraining of personnel was crucial for effective policing.

    The participants comprised all commissioners of police, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Deputy Inspectors General of Police.