IGP Egbetokun Unveils New 40,000-Man Squad to Tackle Security Challenges
The acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has unveiled his plan to create a new Special Intervention Squad to tackle the security challenges facing the nation.
The squad, which will consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers, will be drawn from the existing Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel and other tactical units in the country.
Egbetokun made this known on Monday, June 26, 2023, at a conference with Commanders of the PMF, Special Protection Unit (SPU) and other tactical units in Abuja.
He said the squad will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the federation, with a focus on areas plagued by unrest and turmoil.
He said the squad will bolster the capacity of the police to respond swiftly and decisively to security threats, ensuring that their presence is felt and their response is effective in every corner of the country.
He said 1,000 personnel from the squad will be deployed to every state as standby intervention units, while more troubled spots or zones will receive the remaining officers out of the 40,000.
He said the officers will not perform routine police duties but will be housed and kept combat-ready at all times, engaging in daily trainings in readiness for deployments to intercept and neutralize high-profile criminals and those terrorizing communities.
He said all tactical commanders will be involved in the process of identifying suitable candidates from within their respective units, adding that they should possess the necessary skills, agility, experience, character and commitment to excel in the challenging and demanding environments they will encounter.
He also said he will effect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort/guard duties and replace them with officers of the SPU only where necessary.
He said this will help to realign the priorities of the police to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole.
He said he has appointed a special committee, headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), to assess and advise on the implementation of this new strategy.
He said the committee is expected to submit its report in two weeks.
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