By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Nigeria Police Force has expanded its counter-terrorism capacity with the approval of new Counter Terrorism Unit bases and the deployment of additional personnel to strategic locations across the country.
The development was disclosed in a statement on Saturday signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
According to the statement, the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to strengthen the Force’s capability in tackling terrorism, banditry and other serious crimes threatening national security.
“The Nigeria Police Force has strengthened its counter-terrorism capacity through a specialised training programme designed to enhance the operational readiness of personnel of the Counter Terrorism Unit,” the statement said.
It added that the training programme was implemented in collaboration with the British High Commission in Nigeria through the Office of the Counter Terrorism Regional Coordinator for West Africa.
“The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to reinforce the Force’s capability in combating terrorism, banditry and other serious crimes threatening national security,” the statement noted.
The police said a two-week Close Quarter Battle and Intelligence Analysis training programme was organised for 56 officers drawn from CTU formations across the country.
“The officers were exposed to contemporary counter-terrorism tactics, intelligence analysis and operational best practices aimed at strengthening coordinated responses to emerging security threats,” the statement said.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Peacekeeping Conference Hall, Force Headquarters in Abuja, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Tyler of the Office of the Counter Terrorism Regional Coordinator for West Africa commended the participants.
He urged the officers “to effectively deploy the knowledge acquired in the operational field” and reaffirmed the commitment of the British Government to sustaining collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force in strengthening counter-terrorism operations across the region.
