Jonathan strengthens police competence to fight terrorism

The Nigerian President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that Government is repositioning the Nigeria Police Force to effectively tackle terrorism and criminality in the country.

Inspector General of Police, MD Dikko
Inspector General of Police, MD Dikko

He made the statement recently during the graduation ceremony for the Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police Course 25/2012 and Cadet Inspectors of Police Course 40/2012 of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.

The President, represented by the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo also noted that the task of maintaining the internal security of the country is the responsibility of the Nigerian Police. Adding, since the Police are the lead agency in internal security, it has to be effectively positioned to deliver on its mandate; so training and development are vital to achieving this. He emphasized that the passing out parade of the 677 Assistant Superintendents and Inspectors of Police is not only gratifying but auspicious.

“Government is committed to ensuring continued improvement on the quality, capacity and numerical strength of the manpower available to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies. It is the pursuit of this objective that informed the recently conducted recruitment of 9, 000 soldiers into the Nigerian Army,” he revealed.

He reiterated the determination of his administration to battle terrorism to a standstill; saying the challenge of terrorism to the Government has remained a battle it cannot but win.

According to him, it has become extremely imperative to deploy all efforts and resources towards achieving the constitutional mandate of providing security for the lives and properties of Nigerians. While commending the leadership of the Nigerian Police for its efforts to reposition the Force towards bracing up modern crime fighting and policing, the President averred that the task of protecting lives and property is a sacred mandate which Government is committed to.

He further remarked that the nation is looking up to the graduating officers to augment the provision of safety and protection in the country. “I call on you to apply yourselves diligently to your job and imbibe the ethics of your profession from your colleagues in the field. If you keep to the straight path, I have no doubt that your future would be bright and the sky would be your limit,” he explained.

Earlier in his address, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar observed that the Nigeria Police Force has never had it as good as during the President Jonathan administration. He added that the President approved the upgrading of the institution to degree awarding status with the first set of students admitted in 2013.

Other speakers at the event – the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Paulinus Nwagwu and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Usman Bello Kumo charged the officers on professional conduct as well as urged the Federal Government for more funding for the Police Force.
In the highlights of the event, awards were presented by the Vice President to officers who performed excellently during the training. Ogoliegbune Ifeoma Joy bagged the best overall ASP award and Ilariogun Augustine Femi earned the overall Cadet Inspector award.

Vice President Sambo on behalf of President Jonathan performed the commissioning of the graduating officers and also engaged the inspection of some projects in the academy.

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