BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

ABUJA — THE  Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has
ordered immediate deployment of sniffer dogs to all international
airports in the country.

The order came against the back-drop of threats by criminal elements
to shift their nefarious activities to the nation’s airports.

Vanguard also gathered that the sniffer dogs would be test run in certain functions, preparatory to their deployments for the 2015 general elections, while their deployments would further reduce possibility of arms smuggling through the airports.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the deployments which took place,
yesterday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Abubakar explained that the sniffer dogs would, among other things, be used for detecting explosives, rescue operations, perimeter patrols, patrol of car-parks and apprehension of offenders resisting arrest or attempting to evade  it.

While charging the dog handlers to be vigilant, Abubakar, who was represented by the DIG in charge of operations, Zuokumor Michael, advised them to respect the fundamental rights of the citizens and
also work in collaboration with other security agencies to provide
effective security at the airports.

He called for the cooperation of the general public, assuring them
that his administration would do everything necessary to provide them
with optimum security.

Meanwhile, the deployment in Abuja, which is the first phase of the
deployment of the sniffer dogs, was simultaneously done at the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport Terminal I and II, Lagos and
Port-Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

Others are Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Jos Airport
as well as Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.