IG Backs Mobile Police Against Banditry, Insurgency

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has expressed confidence in the Police Mobile Force’s ability to help tackle banditry and insurgency as the Federal Government steps up efforts to restore peace across Nigeria.

Disu made this known on Saturday while opening a training programme for trainers and instructors of the Mobile Police Force at the Police Mobile Force Training College in Ende Hills, Nasarawa State.

The police chief said the operational strength and readiness of the Mobile Police Force would play an important role in the government’s efforts to reduce attacks by terrorists, bandits and other armed groups.

He said Mobile Police officers had received specialised training that could be useful in dealing with complex security threats, including counter-insurgency operations.

The IGP said President Bola Tinubu had directed the country’s security chiefs to intensify efforts to restore peace and reduce insurgency and banditry in different parts of the country.

According to Disu, the Mobile Police Force must be fully prepared to carry out its role in the wider security operation. He said strengthening the training and tactical skills of officers was necessary to improve their performance in the field.

The police authorities are also expanding the Mobile Police Force to 84 squadrons across the country as part of efforts to respond to Nigeria’s changing security needs.

The expansion is expected to improve the Force’s ability to respond to terrorism, banditry, armed crime, communal clashes and attacks on important public infrastructure.

Disu said the present security situation required officers who could respond quickly while also making sound tactical decisions. He called for a balance between physical strength, discipline, proper use of force and respect for human rights.

The training programme is designed to prepare instructors who will return to their various locations and train other officers. The IGP said the quality of instruction would directly affect the skills and performance of personnel deployed for security operations.

He assured the Mobile Police Force that police leadership would continue to invest in training, modern equipment and the welfare of officers. At the same time, he called on personnel to maintain discipline and show commitment to their duties.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Mobile Police Force, Francis Idu, said the unit had returned to its training base after months of operations in areas identified as security hotspots.

Idu said officers who had been involved in stability patrols since March were recalled for retraining and to strengthen their knowledge of counter-insurgency operations, fighting patrols and the proper review of incidents after field operations.

He said the retraining exercise would help officers learn from their experiences and improve their ability to deal with security threats.

Idu also reported that previous clearance operations had improved security conditions in some areas stretching from Lagos to Edo.

In the South-East, he said several areas had also recorded improved security conditions, although the Orlu-Oko-Ihiala-Ihizougu axis remained a concern.

He said security operations would continue in the affected areas, while the skills gained from the retraining programme would be used to improve field operations and deal with remaining security challenges.

The Commandant of the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende Hills, Sunday Peter, said 750 instructors had been identified for the training exercise.

He explained that 450 instructors were taking part in the first phase, while the remaining officers would participate in the second phase.

The training is part of ongoing efforts by the police authorities to improve the readiness of the Mobile Police Force and strengthen its response to terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes across the country.