FG developing Police capacity to battle terrorism – Jonathan

The Federal Government is re-positioning the Nigeria Police Force to effectively battle terrorism and other crimes and criminality to a standstill.
The President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, stated this on Saturday at the Passing Out Parade of Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police Course 25/2012 and Cadet Inspectors of Police Course 40/2012, at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.
The President, who noted that the task of maintaining the internal security of the country squarely rests on the Police, said: “As the lead agency in internal security, the Police must be effectively positioned to deliver on its mandate and training and development are vital to achieving this.
“This is why this parade of the passing out of this 677 Police Officers of the ranks of Assistant Superintendents and Inspectors of Police is not only gratifying but auspicious.
“Government is committed to ensuring continued improvement on the quality, capacity and numerical strength of the human resource available to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
“It is in pursuit of this objective that recently informed the recruitment of 9,000 soldiers into the Nigerian Army.”
Jonathan, who was represented by the Vice President, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo, reiterated the determination of his Administration to battle terrorism to a standstill, adding: “For us as a government, the challenge of terrorism remains a battle that we cannot afford not to win.
“It has therefore become extremely imperative that all efforts and resources be deployed towards the achievement of that primary constitutional mandate, the provision of ‘security’ of lives and properties of our people.”
While commending the leadership of the police for its efforts at repositioning the Force to meet the challenges of modern crime fighting and policing, Jonathan said: “The task of protecting lives and property is a sacred mandate and we are very committed to this cause.”
Jonathan, speaking to the graduating officers, stated that the nation was looking up to them for safety and protection.
He said: “I call on you to apply yourselves diligently to your job and imbibe the ethics of your profession from your colleague in the field.
“If you keep to the straight path, I have no doubt that your future would be bright and the sky would be your limit.”
The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, observed that in the history of the Nigeria Police Force, it had never had it so good than under the Jonathan administration.
Abubakar said Jonathan has approved the upgrading of the institution to a degree awarding one, with the initial set admitted in 2013.
Other speakers, including the Minister of Police Affairs, retiredNavy Captain Caleb Olubolade; the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro; the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Paulinus Nwagwu; and that of the House of Representatives, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, all charged the officers on professionalism in their conduct, while also urging the Federal Government for more funding for the Police Force.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of awards by Usman to officers that excelled during the course of the training.
Ogoliegbune Ifeoma Joy was the best overall ASP, while Ilariogun Augustine Femi bagged the overall cadet inspector award.
Sambo, on behalf of Jonathan, performed the commissioning of the graduating officers and also used the opportunity to inspect projects in the Academy.