Olukayode Egbetokun, the interim Inspector General of Police (IGP) has vowed to implement the removal of Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel from VIP escort/guard duties.
At the same time, Egbetokun established the Special Intervention Squad, which, in his estimation, would consist of 40,000 highly skilled police officers, including a select group from the Police Mobile Force, PMF.
The change, according to him, would enable the police to reclaim their position within the nation’s “internal security architecture.”
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Egbetokun spoke during a gathering of Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders On Monday in Abuja.
He said:
“In a bid to kick-start the process of regaining our pride of place in the internal security architecture of our dear country first and foremost, modalities for the creation of a new special squad – the Special Intervention Squad have been initiated.
“This special squad shall consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers. The Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force personnel and all tactical units in the country.
“These officers will undergo an intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil.
“By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.”
He believed that with a thousand personnel being deployed to every state, the squad’s creation would help the police respond to security threats quickly.
Egbetokun said:
“This dedicated force will bolster our capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to security threats, ensuring that our presence is felt and our response is effective in every corner of our country. 1000 personnel from this new squad will be deployed to every state of the Federation for immediate operations as standby intervention units, while more troubled spots or zones will receive the remaining officers out of the 40,000.
“These officers will not perform routine police duties but will be housed and kept combat-ready at all times engaging in daily training readiness for deployments to intercept and neutralize high-profile criminals and those terrorizing our communities.”
According to the police chief, the new special squad would be given the training and tools necessary to deal with evolving insurgencies, criminal activities, and other security threats, particularly those brought on by non-state actors.
He added that the Special Protection Unit will send officers to replace the withdrawn PMF personnel.
He said:
“We shall effect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort/guard duties. While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole. By relieving the PMF of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large.
“To support the foregoing strategic plan and make needed manpower available for frontline duties, the withdrawn PMF officers will be replaced by officers of the Special Protection Unit only where necessary.”
He further explained that a special committee under the direction of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) has been formed to evaluate and provide recommendations on how the strategy can be successfully implemented.
A report from the committee is anticipated to be submitted in two weeks, the IGP added.
