By George Adesina Bominuru
In recent times, the level of insecurity in Nigeria is at its peak. Almost on a daily basis we receive news of one insecurity incident or the other. Kidnapping especially, of school children is now a regular occurrence. Abduction and killings in both churches and mosques are a daily tragedy. Bandits and Terrorists are now getting more emboldened by the seemingly helpless state of our security architecture. Our country Nigeria is almost becoming a laughing stock in the international arena. At a point, the American President, Donald Trump had to issue a threat of military intervention if our government fails to act.
This threat seems to have come with both positive and negative impact. Our security system seems to receive a wake up call. We now hear of decimation of bandits and terrorists in their hideouts. We are taking the battle to their territories as against what was happening a few months past when terrorists invade our military base.
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In line with the current tempo, and to boost the number of our security personnel, the President and the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCON) has approved the recruitment of more security personnel in both the Armed Forces and the Police. Furthermore, His Excellency has also instructed that ALL Police personnel attached to VIPs be withdrawn with immediate effect.
It is on the basis of the above situation that I make a strong case for the inclusion of the Supernumerary Police in this battle for the security of our dear nation.
It is an obvious fact that the withdrawal of Police escorts from the VIPs will make the VIPs extremely vulnerable to attack. It will amount to an attempt to cure one part of the body while exposing other parts to a higher risk.
I am therefore proposing that:
1. Supernumerary Police Officers be given further training on use of arms. This training should be for Officers from the rank of Inspector and above.
2. This categories of armed Supernumerary Police Officers can be deployed to serve as armed escorts for our VIPs.
3. Approval for the release and use of arms should come from the office of the IGP and/or the Zonal Commanders.
4. Supernumerary Police Officers can also be used for intelligence gathering within their local communities. This is possible because of their interactions with the locals. Such intelligence can help in preventing criminal activities especially, kidnapping and banditry.
I do hope and believe that Supernumerary Police Officers could be more useful than just being mere drivers.
SPY (CSP)George Adesina Bominuru writes from Lagos
