Senate Okays Police Special Forces, Training School In Borno

A bill for establishment of the Nigerian Police Special Forces and a Special Forces Training School in Gwoza, Borno State , yesterday got the nod of the Senate.
Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), who sponsored the bill said the Training School would give Nigerian police huge manpower to effectively combat the menace of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and other heinous crimes head long.
He said: “The Nigeria Police Special Forces Training School in Gwoza would among others, combat the menace of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and other heinous crimes.
“It will train the required manpower for the Special Forces in order to enhance effective National Security through provision of professionalised training, knowledge as well as to award certificates to deserving and qualified officers on successful completion of training.”
Senator Ndume, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, further explained that the proposed agency would collaborate with other sister agencies within Nigeria and relevant international agencies on matters relating to terrorism.
He added that the agency would engage in information and intelligence gathering activities.
“It provides advanced training in anti-terrorism, drills, counter-insurgency, espionage and disorder management for serving police officers and other.
“Security agents from in and outside Nigeria, and provide regular courses and for training that qualifies regular police personnel to serve in the Police Mobile Force Units,” the lawmaker stressed.
However, Senators Chukwuka Utazi ( Enugu North) and Emmanuel Oker-Jev (Benue North West) kicked against the bill.
According to the law makers, the establishment of another special forces, would lead to duplication of the roles of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.
However, majority of Senators at the plenary supported the bill with a view that it would help in tackling insurgency and banditry.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja