By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said that it is ramping up its efforts to combat national security challenges with the planned implementation of a comprehensive drone system and the establishment of Special Intervention Squads (SIS) across the country.
While, in a symposium organised by the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Multidisciplinary Studies (TCEMS), the
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun announced these initiatives during a lecture titled “The Nigeria Police Force and the Management of Internal Security” at the University of Ibadan (UI), on Monday, June 3,2024 in Ibadan.
The new drone system, expanding upon the force’s existing drone capabilities, aims to provide nationwide aerial surveillance, the IGP added.
Egbetokun, while highlighting the system’s potential to deter crime and improve monitoring, he said “the ungoverned spaces will soon become governed,”
Furthermore, the Police Chief said SIS units will be deployed in all Nigerian states to specifically target kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities. According to the IGP, the success of the FCT’s SIS unit, which has led to arrests and weapon recoveries, serves as a model for the nationwide rollout.
But, the IGP acknowledged ongoing challenges faced by the Force, including personnel shortages, equipment limitations, public trust issues, and budgetary constraints. Despite these hurdles, Egbetokun reaffirmed the police’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians’ lives and property.
The lecture triggered constructive discussions on reshaping Nigeria’s security landscape. University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, commended the Inspector-General’s leadership, while Dr. Benjamin Aluko, acting Director of the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Multidisciplinary Studies, emphasized the importance of such dialogues in finding solutions.
