President Goodluck Jonathan Monday declared that Nigeria is currently going through a trying moment in terms of security. “This is a trying moment in this country in terms of security challenges”, the president said while commissioning seven helicopters, 500 patrol vans, and armoured personnel vehicles at the grand parade of the Police week, 2013 in Abuja.
Police helicopters and some patrol vehicles at the inauguration of police helicopters and patrol vehicles in Abuja, Monday.
He said “a lot of policemen have lost their lives to terrorism attacks. Let me use this opportunity to condole families of those who lost their lives. I want to assure you (families) that government will continue to care for the loved ones left behind”.
Stressing that the helicopters and patrol vans are necessary tools for the police to perform creditably, Jonathan said, “I expect these equipment will help improve the response time to distress calls to the police. I also want to advise the police to improve on the maintenance capability of the force. I have observed that the armed forces, now have very good and formidable teams that maintain their equipment and facilities. The police should do same”.
According to him, the imperatives of the deadly security challenges confronting the nation in the area of terrorism, kidnapping and other heinous crimes has made it expedient that the 36 states of the country acquire helicopters for the 36 Police Commands.
He noted that the Nigeria Police has a duty to protect the citizens from the land, air and sea and
urged the police authorities to continue to ensure training of the officers and men on modern policing methods that will take into account, the democratic environment of the nation. He added that what Nigerians want is a people friendly police force that is timely in response time to distress.
In his address, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar warned the criminal community in the country to brace up for a renewed crackdown by the Nigerian Police, following the wind of change that is now blowing through the force.
According to the IG, “A cultural re-orientation that is premised on adoption of international best policing practices is emerging, and the new police force will display team spirit, loyalty, zeal, courage, civility and renewed commitment towards confronting criminal elements”.
Declaring that the long term intention and strategic justification for the police week celebration which is coming up after 37 years absence is to commence the process of restoring the lost glory of the force, the IG said, “the essence is to remind police officers that their efficiency rest solely on the extent of bonding with the public whom they are paid to protect.
“Inversely, the people have to accept the fact that no matter the level of private security contraption sewn around themselves, they still need a body of men and women, they can trust and rely on to protect the public space”, he said.
He paid tribute to “Officers who resist temptations, reject inducements and stand against threats and intimidation to firmly uphold justice
The Boko Haram Islamist insurgency is estimated to have cost more than 3,000 lives since 2009, including deaths caused by the security forces.
Last Thursday, pirates stormed a cargo ship off Nigeria’s oil-producing southern coast, kidnapping five foreign sailors and stealing cash, a watchdog and a security source said Monday.
The International Maritime Bureau said “14 heavily armed pirates” boarded the vessel 45 nautical miles off the Nigerian town of Brass.
The Gulf of Guinea, which includes the waters off Benin, Nigeria and Togo, is as emerging piracy hub, where the number of attacks has risen for three consecutive years.
Kidnapped foreigners are often released following a ransom payment.
The pirates have also stolen crude oil from ships servicing Nigeria’s oil industry, the world’s eighth largest.
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