Police Educate 56 Officers and Establish Counterterrorism Bases in Adamawa, Cross River, and Ogun

The Nigeria Police Force has successfully finished training 56 officers and has approved the formation of new counter-terrorism bases in Adamawa, Cross River, and Ogun states. This initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to bolster its response to security challenges.

This training, designed specifically for the personnel of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), was conducted in partnership with the British High Commission in Nigeria and the Office of the Counter Terrorism Regional Coordinator for West Africa.

A statement from Benjamin Hundeyin, the outgoing police spokesperson, indicates that the intensive two-week program focused on both Close Quarter Battle and Intelligence Analysis techniques, with 56 officers participating from various CTU branches nationwide.

The training exposed officers to modern counter-terrorism methodologies, critical intelligence assessment, and operational strategies, all intended to enhance coordinated actions against terrorism, banditry, and other grave criminal activities.

During a closing ceremony at the Peacekeeping Conference Hall of the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Ian Tyler, a lieutenant colonel from the British High Commission’s Counter Terrorism Regional Coordinator's Office, lauded the officers for their professionalism and encouraged them to effectively utilize the knowledge acquired during their training in practical settings.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, represented by Akoh Gabriel, an assistant inspector general (AIG) responsible for the CTU, noted that the training represents the police leadership's dedication to continually enhancing officers' capabilities to tackle emerging security threats.

Furthermore, the police chief sanctioned the establishment of new CTU bases in Madagali (Adamawa), Ikot Odo (Cross River), and Ode-Remo (Ogun), alongside the deployment of additional CTU personnel to key locations nationwide to enhance rapid response capabilities and improve operational coverage.