… EQUIPMENT TO ENHANCE FIGHT AGAINST CRIMES – GERMAN AMBASSADOR
By Okosun Dennis
The capability of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to combat crimes in society has been enhanced as the Federal Republic of Germany and other donor agencies have donated 2,000 Mobile Barracks, toilet facilities, and kitchens to the Nigeria police.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who received the various facilities at the Police College, Ikeja on Friday, 16th September 2023, commended the German government and other donor partners – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria and GS Foundation – for the donation adding that it came at the appropriate time.
Explaining that the donation will enhance the combating of crimes in society, in his speech, IGP Egbetokun said, “The donation is coming at a time the force is setting up intervention squad with the aim of stamping out violent crime in Nigeria.
“The equipment will also afford the force the opportunity to train more officers. Our Special Intervention Squad is going to consist of 40,000 men and we intend to deploy at least 1,000 men to each state command.
“We have started the mobilisation of the squad and started selecting trainers. Very soon, 25 of them will be traveling abroad for training. When they come back, the training proper would starts with the 40,000 Special Intervention Squad.
“We are going to deploy the equipment for the training of our Special Squad centres. This equipment will provide the immediate solution to accommodation needed at our training schools in Nigeria. I have gotten the assurances of the German Deputy Ambassador that more of this equipment will be coming to police.”
Egbetokun commended the German government for assisting the country in the war against crimes, stressing that his desire is to emplace a professional police that would respect the rule of law and respond to the dynamics of policing.
He used the opportunity to call for more support as “we can’t do it alone, and everyone and other organizations should support to have effective police on Nigeria.
On this part, Johannes Lehne, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, said the donation was meant to equip the force for the fight against crimes in society.
According to the Inspector General of German Police, they have successfully trained 600 trainers, adding that the cooperation between UNDP and NPF is a special one for the improvement of peace and security, the progress of Nigerian people, security, and the rule of law.
He added that they plan to make NPF effective for the 21st century, noting that they would engage in NPF training and supply of equipment to reform the Nigeria police and the world.
Conducting IGP Egbetokun and other principal officers round the facilities that were displayed, the Nigeria Project Leader of GS Foundation, Matthias Seeger said the mobile kitchen has the capacity to cook for hundreds of officers at a go.
In his vote of thanks, the Commandant, Police College, Ikeja, CP Ayoola Ajala thanked the Federal Republic of Germany and other donor partners for the huge investment in the NPF as it would go a long way in fostering cordial relationships.
Present at the handing over of the facilities were the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Onikan Lagos, AIG Mohammed Ari Ali; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa; CP Special Fraud Unit, CP Magref Ochala; CP Airport Command, CP Aminu Baba Raji; Chief Executive Officer, Porto, Mr Tunji Lardner; Resident Representative of the UNDP, Simon Ridley.
