By Euzan Edeh
The first batch of 500 personnel of the Nigeria Police trained on counter-terrorism at the Nigerian Army Armour School, Bauchi, Wednesday graduated with a call to live up to the challenges of the time.

The personnel, including two female, were given an 8-week intensive training in martial arts, unarmed combat, foiling kidnapping and assassination, investigating arts 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, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.General Ihejirika, represented by Major-General Adamu Marwa, noted that the scourge of terrorism was dynamic and digital, and based on blatant disregard for national sovereignty, human lives and property.

This, he said, had caused many countries to create special agencies to take care of the unfolding threats and had also prompted Nigeria Police authorities to train their men to confront the contemporary challenges of our time.

He said: “The 1993 hijack of the Nigerian Airways Airbus to Niger Republic by Movement for Advanced Democracy, 1996 bombing of Aminu Kano Airport are part of terrorism in the country.”

He said the 2004 Kaduna riot, 2001 Jos riots, 2009 Boko Haram in Bauchi, 2010 October 1 bombing in Abuja Eagle Square and the ongoing riot in Jos among others, “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.