IG BACKS MOBILE POLICE TO TACKLE BANDITRY, INSURGENCY

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has expressed confidence in the ability of the Police Mobile Force to help tackle insurgency, banditry and other security challenges across Nigeria.
Disu said the success of the Federal Government’s efforts to restore peace would depend significantly on the operational readiness of the Mobile Police Force.
He spoke while declaring open a training course for trainers and instructors of the Mobile Police Force at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende Hills, in Nasarawa State.
The IGP said Mobile Police officers have the specialised training and tactical skills required to combat insurgency and other serious security threats.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had given security chiefs clear instructions to restore peace and tackle insurgency and banditry across the country.
Disu stressed that the Mobile Police Force must regain and strengthen its counter-insurgency capabilities to meet the demands of the current security environment.
He also highlighted the expansion of the Police Mobile Force to 84 squadrons nationwide, saying the move was part of efforts to reposition the Force to tackle terrorism, banditry, armed criminality, communal violence and attacks on critical infrastructure.
According to the IGP, Nigeria’s security challenges are becoming increasingly sophisticated and unpredictable, requiring a Mobile Force that combines tactical intelligence, speed, discipline and respect for human rights.
He said the ongoing training was designed to ensure that officers across the squadrons are properly trained, led, equipped and prepared for operations.
Disu charged the trainers to return to their various locations with the objective of producing better-trained officers and improving the overall effectiveness of the Force.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force, Francis Idu, said the Force had returned to base for retraining after months of sustained clearance operations in designated security hotspots.
Idu said the retraining would help officers refocus on counter-insurgency operations, fighting patrols and lessons from their previous field engagements.