In a significant development, the United States Government’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigeria Police Force regarding the operationalization of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).
The Inspector General of Police (IG), Olukayode Egbetokun, announced the establishment of the SIS upon assuming office in June 2023.
The agreement, formalized at the Force Headquarters on Monday, marks a collaborative effort to bolster the Nigeria Police Force’s capabilities in addressing evolving security challenges.
Expressing gratitude for the collaboration with the U.S. Government, IG Egbetokun emphasized the importance of international partnerships in combating transnational crime and ensuring the overall safety and security of the country.
It was revealed that the deployment of the 40,000 operatives comprising the Special Intervention Squad, currently undergoing training, will commence in Katsina and nine other states.
The proposed commanders overseeing the squad’s activities will undergo training in Mexico, and the initial deployment to the selected states will serve as a pilot for the SIS’s operations.
IG Egbetokun reiterated that the SIS is a standby team of specially trained officers designed to swiftly intervene in large-scale security incidents, aligning with the administration’s commitment to addressing the nation’s threats of violent crime.
In a previous announcement in June, the IG disclosed plans to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIP escort and guard duties. This decision, aimed at enabling the police to reclaim its position in the internal security architecture of the country, raised questions and necessitated clarification.
The Police Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, clarified that the intention was not to strip legally entitled VIPs of their security details.
Instead, the objective was to reassign the withdrawn Police Mobile Force personnel to the newly established Special Intervention Squad.
Adejobi emphasized that individuals legally entitled to specialized police escorts would continue to receive such services from other units like the Special Protection Unit.
To dispel any misunderstandings, Adejobi urged the public to refer to the full contents of the press releases dated June 29, 2023, July 10, 2023, and July 24, 2023, for a comprehensive understanding of the directive regarding the withdrawal of Police Mobile Force personnel and its implications.
