500 Counter – Terrorist Operatives Graduate

Posted by admin Headlines Thursday, January 20th, 2011

The first batch of five hundred personnel of the Nigeria Police trained on Counter Terrorism skills at the Nigerian Army Armour School, Bauchi, yesterday graduated with a call to live up to the challenges of the time.

The trainees, among who were two female police were given an eight week- intensive training in martial arts, unarmed combat, foiling kidnapping and assassination, investigating acts of terrorism, hijacking and counter hijacking.

They were also trained in special body guard services, demolition exercise, counter terrorism ambush, obstacle crossing and rescue operations among others.

In a key note address at the passing out parade, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Ihejirika, represented by Major-General Adamu Marwa, noted that the scourge of terrorism was usually in disregard for nations’ sovereignty, sanctity of human lives and property.

This he said has necessitated the creation of special agencies to take care of the unfolding threats and prompted the Nigeria Police to train its men to confront the contemporary challenge, as done by most other countries.

“Though terrorism is relatively new in Nigeria, there have been cases of groups using violence to achieve political, religious and ideological goals”, Ihejirika recalled. He listed the 1993 hijack of the Nigerian Airways Airbus to Niger Republic, by Movement for Advanced Democracy, the1996 bombing of Aminu Kano Airport as part of terrorism acts so for witnessed in the country.

Further pointing out some of the terrorism related cases that include the 2004 Kaduna riot , 2001 Jos riots, 2009 Boko Haram in Bauchi,2010 October 1,bombing in Abuja Eagle Square and the on-going riot in Jos among others, the Army chief said ‘’they are aimed at realizing political, religious and ideological objectives.’’

But assured that, despite the sophistry in types of weapons, arsenal, and tactics used by the dissidents, the bold steps taken by Nigeria Police, will stand the test of time.

Among those that witnessed the ceremony were senior security and government officials including Army officers, who presented gifts to distinguished trainees drawn from Police commands across the country.

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