In a recent announcement, the Acting Inspector-General of Police IG, Olukayode Egbetokun, revealed the establishment of a Quick Intervention Squad by the Nigeria Police Force. The squad’s purpose is to combat crimes and criminality more effectively.
During his inaugural conference with Strategic Police Managers, comprising officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above, Mr. Egbetokun emphasized the need to tackle the menace of crimes head-on. The Quick Intervention Squad will consist of well-trained and combat-ready personnel from the Police Mobile Force. These personnel will receive enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and strategies to reduce violent crime.
Mr. Egbetokun expressed his administration’s commitment to embracing innovation and technology as powerful tools in the fight against crime. He acknowledged that criminals have become more sophisticated, organized, and ruthless than ever before. To stay ahead of criminals and maintain peace in the country, the Nigeria Police Force will leverage cutting-edge tools, data analytics, and intelligence networks. This proactive approach will involve robust human and technical intelligence gathering processes to enhance the capacity of personnel.
The Acting IGP emphasized the importance of collaboration with other security agencies, both domestically and internationally, to strengthen the intelligence network. By harnessing the power of technology and collaboration, the Nigeria Police aims to make the streets safer, investigations more efficient, and communities more resilient.
Additionally, Mr. Egbetokun highlighted the need to enhance the Nigeria Police training curriculum, with a special focus on attitudinal and behavioral changes for new recruits and serving officers. The goal is to refine officers’ perception of human rights, the rule of law, and citizen-focused policing. The new training curriculum will include tests designed to identify individuals with negative mentalities and a high tendency for violence during the recruitment process.
The Acting IGP also emphasized the importance of improved welfare for officers, ensuring the availability of necessary resources, training, and support to carry out their duties professionally. He mentioned plans to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to resuscitate the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical Services. This unit will serve as a confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers.
The establishment of the Quick Intervention Squad and the focus on innovation, technology, training, and welfare reflect the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to addressing crime effectively and maintaining peace and security in the country.
