The modalities for the creation of a new special squad in the Nigeria Police known as the Special Intervention Squad, have been initiated.
This was revealed by the acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, at the conference with Squadrons, SPU, and Tactical Commanders held at the IGP Conference Center, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday, June 26, 2023.
Egbetokun said that this special squad will consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers.
“The Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel and all tactical units in the country.
“These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil.
“By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face, Egbetokun said.
He further reiterated that this dedicated force will bolster the capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to security threats, ensuring that the police’s presence is felt and its response is effective in every corner of Nigeria.
“One thousand personnel from this new squad will be deployed to every state of the Federation for immediate operations as standby intervention units, while more troubled spots or zones will receive the remaining officers out of the 40,000.
“These officers will not perform routine police duties but will be housed and kept combat-ready at all times, engaging in daily training in readiness for deployments to intercept and neutralize high-profile criminals and those terrorizing our communities. They will be deployed to intervene rapidly and proactively in any situation necessary in their states of assignment.
He further said that to optimize the efficiency of Police resources, the Force shall carry out a re-evaluation of the responsibilities assigned to the PMF. Specifically, the force shall effect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort and guard duties.
“While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole. By relieving the PMF of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large.
“To support the foregoing strategic plan and make needed manpower available for frontline duties, the withdrawn PMF officers will be replaced by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) only where necessary.
“To ensure the smooth implementation of this policy, we will, in consultation with the Police Service Commission, invoke the Supernumerary provision of Sections 23, 24, and 25 of the Police Act 2020, which allows the police to train supernumerary officers specifically for the personal protection duties of individual Nigerians who require their services.
“We will make details of this available in the weeks and months ahead while making sure the policy is implemented strictly in accordance with best practices. This will free up regular police officers to focus more on frontline policing duties across the nation.
Egbetokun emphasized that creating a new special squad from the existing pool of PMF officers, withdrawing PMF from VIP escort duties, up-scaling the role of SPU, and including Supernumerary Officers in VIP security, it will go a long way to strengthening the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and ensuring a safer environment for all citizens.
The Acting IGP restated that social media platforms have become powerful tools for communication, but when used irresponsibly, they can tarnish the reputation of our force and undermine public trust.
“I urge commanders to enforce strict guidelines on the use of social media by our officers in line with the existing Social Media Policy 2022 and Cybercrime Prohibition Act, 2015, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, respect for privacy, and the avoidance of any content that may be deemed offensive or unprofessional.Â
“Those whose duty it is to enforce the laws of the land must themselves respect and obey the laws of the land.
“Without obeying the laws, the Police lack the moral high ground to interrogate and bring lawbreakers to book.
“Consequently, in line with my vision of building a rule of law-compliant Police Force, it is my directive that henceforth all police convoys on routine, non-emergency movements must obey traffic lights and other traffic rules. I pledge to lead by example in this regard, Egbetokun said.
