The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has said that a Special Intervention Squad will be established in 10 pilot states to check the mobility of bandits and terrorists from one state to another.
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that a similar squad will be set up in all 36 states of the federation to respond to urgent and impromptu security calls that may arise to control the situation.
The IGP stated this during a visit to Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed at the Government House, Bauchi.
Mr Egbetokun commended the efforts of the governor for ensuring the safety and security of lives and property of citizens of the state despite notable insecurity trends in other states in the northeast sub-region.
“In my previous public pronouncements, I made it clear that this present police leadership will be establishing special intervention squads in all 36 states of the federation but we are starting in 10 pilot states.
“The members of the Special Intervention Squad will be carefully selected; they will be specially trained, specially equipped and specially motivated.
“They will not engage in routine anti-crime patrol. They will be based, fed, taken care of and trained. Their mission will be to respond to all crises. If there is a crisis anywhere, the special intervention squad will be deployed to intervene in those crises.
“From my experience, we found out that if we face a particular state that is troubled by bandits, as we are chasing the bandits away from that state, they are moving into neighbouring states.
“I want to also particularly thank you for the support you have been giving to the police in Bauchi State. I want to assure you that we are not taking any of these for granted,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Police assured the governor of the continued support of the police to ensure that the peace of Bauchi state is not broken.
Responding, the governor assured the IGP of his dogged commitment to supporting the activities of the police to secure the lives and property of citizens of the state.
