The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the establishment of new Counter Terrorism Bases (CTU) in Adamawa, Cross River and Ogun States to curb the activities of terrorists in the country.

The IGP made this known at the closing of a two-week Close Quarter Battle and Intelligence Analysis training programme for personnel of the Counter Terrorism Units of the Nigeria Police Force. Disu has also approved the deployment of additional CTU personnel to strategic operational locations across the country to enhance rapid response capability and improve operational coverage.

The training programme, organised in collaboration with the British High Commission in Nigeria through the Office of the Counter Terrorism Regional Coordinator for West Africa, forms part of ongoing efforts to reinforce the Force’s capability in combating terrorism, banditry and other serious crimes threatening national security.

Represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit, Force Headquarters, AIG Akoh Gabriel, the IGP stated that the training initiative reflects the determination of his administration to continually upscale the operational capacity of officers of the Force in responding effectively to evolving security threats.

He also expressed appreciation to the British government for its sustained partnership and strategic support.

He said the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to strengthening partnerships, building operational capacity and deploying strategic resources to combat terrorism and other emerging security threats across the country.

Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyi, in a statement, said the two-week Close Quarter Battle and Intelligence Analysis training programme featured fifty-six (56) participants drawn from the Counter Terrorism Units of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said the officers were exposed to contemporary counter-terrorism tactics, intelligence analysis and operational best practices aimed at strengthening coordinated responses to emerging security threats.

In his address at the closing ceremony held at the Peacekeeping Conference Hall, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Tyler of the Office of the Counter Terrorism Regional Coordinator for West Africa, British High Commission, commended the participants’ enthusiasm and professionalism. He urged the officers to effectively deploy the knowledge acquired in the operational field and reaffirmed the British Government’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force in strengthening counter-terrorism operations across the region. (The Sun)