The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has promised to equip the Police Command in Enugu State effectively in the fight against insecurity in the state.
Responding to the requests of the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for bulletproof vests, helmets, Armored Personnel Carriers and other protective equipment to help Police operatives in the state to confront and contain unrepentant criminal elements, IGP Baba promised to make available the equipment immediately after the Christmas break.
“I will give you body armors and helmets; above all, I will give you one APC (Armored Personnel Carriers); these things will be available for collection immediately after the Christmas break.
“We just established the drone section and we are battling to make it work. As soon as we have been able to establish the one in the headquarters effectively, we will see how we can decentralize and if am on this seat, Enugu will be the first place to be considered,” the Police Chief promised.
IGP Baba made these promises at the inauguration ceremony of the 76 Police Mobile Force Squadron built by Enugu State government at Ekwegbe in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area; the facility is located along Ugwogo Nike-Opi Nsukka road.
In his speech, the Governor explained the need for the equipment to tackle existing and emerging security challenges in the state so as to maintain the state’s enviable status as one of the most peaceful and safest state in the nation.
Apart from protective equipment, Governor Ugwuanyi also requested for deployment of the Special Forces of the Nigeria Police Force to Enugu State and establishment of a drone section to help in tackling security challenges perpetuated in difficult terrains in the state.
76 Police Mobile Force Squadron was built by Bonez Construction and Engineering Services Limited and supervised by Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
The facility consists of administrative block, transit camp, provost’s office, armory, observatory post, generator house/generator set, commander’s and deputy commander’s quarters, parade ground, sick bay, borehole and elevated water storage and reticulation, internal road network, perimeter fence and installation of All-in-One 80 watts solar-powered streetlights.
Dignitaries present at the inauguration are: The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13, AIG Abutu Yaro; Commissioners of Police in Enugu and Anambra states, CP Ahmed Ammani and CP Acheng Acheng respectively; the Comptroller of Customs, Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi states Command, L.M Mark.
Others include: Ezeani Ezenta, Member representing Igbo-Etiti East Constituency in the State House of Assembly; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Prof. Malachy Okwueze and other members of the State Executive Council; Chairmen of Enugu East, Isi-Uzo and Udi LGAs, Hon. Livinus Nze Anike, Hon. Obiora Obeagu and Hon. Philip Okoh respectively; Vice Chancellor of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Prof. James Ogbonna; traditional rulers, and senior Police and paramilitary officers.
