Boko Haram: Olubolade hails security agencies over arrests
BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI
ABUJA- Police Affairs Minister, Navy-Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), weekend, noted that the arrest and prosecution of some alleged sponsors of the Boko Haram sect was a testimony of the capabilities of security agencies.
He appealed to Nigerians to provide useful information about undesirable elements in their midst.
The minister stressed that those perpetrating violent activities were no spirits and were well-known in their communities and could be exposed if community, traditional, political and religious leaders rise to their responsibilities.
Olubolade frowned on the wave of terrorist activities worldwide and Nigeria’s peculiar situation, noting that it had necessitated a review of training needs and curricula of the police to lay more emphasis on intelligence-driven and community policing since criminals were becoming more sophisticated in their operations.
He spoke at the ASP-DSP promotion course at Police Staff College.
The minister pointed out that the Federal Government would continue to give priority attention to the training of officers and men of Nigeria Police Force in order to position it to meet the peculiar security needs of the country.
He said: “Henceforth, all promotions in the Force would be based on performance at set examinations for all cadres in the force, in line with the Police Reform Programme of the Federal Government.”
The Minister assured that in spite of the present financial dire straits, Nigeria police reform programme was on course as a result of the political, administrative and financial commitment of the Federal Government to its unhindered implementation.
Also speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commandant of Police Staff College, Mohammed Gana, said the course with 983 participants was the highest in the history of training courses in the police.
He said the policy of promotion courses for officers was to reposition the manpower of the police with a view to enhancing the capacity of officers in discharging their duties effectively and efficiently.
He commended the Federal Government for providing the necessary enabling environment for the Force to conduct the trainings.
