Mohammed Shosanya

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun,has commenced modalities for the creation of special squad consisting of 40,000 specially trained elite officers.

He also said that his administration shall effect the withdrawal of Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel from VIP escort and guard duties. This, he stated would help in addressing “critical security concerns that affect our communities at large.”

He spoke on Monday, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja in an address at his first Conference with Commanders of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Special Protection Unit (SPU), and other Tactical Units to address matters of national security importance.

Nigeria faces numerous challenges that require a proactive and strategic operational approach to surmount,he said

He added: “Modalities for the creation of a new special squad – the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) have been initiated.” This special squad shall consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers. The Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel and all tactical units in the country.

“These officers will undergo an intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil. By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.

“This dedicated force will bolster our capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to security threats, ensuring that our presence is felt and our response is effective in every corner of our country. One thousand personnel from this new squad will be deployed to every state of the Federation for immediate operations as standby intervention units, while more troubled spots or zones will receive the remaining officers out of the 40,000.

“These officers will not perform routine police duties but will be housed and kept combat-ready at all times engaging in daily trainings in readiness for deployments to intercept and neutralize high-profile criminals and those terrorizing our communities. They will be deployed to intervene rapidly and proactively in any situation necessary in their states of assignment.”

According to him,all Commanders will be involved in the process of identifying suitable candidates from within their respective units.

These,he said, individuals should possess the necessary skills, agility, experience, character, and commitment to excel in the challenging and demanding environments they will encounter.

He said,the new special squad will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to combat evolving criminal activities, insurgency, and other security threats especially the activities of non-state actors.

“We will henceforth be more proactive and be ready to take the fight to the criminals’ den. Furthermore, in order to optimize the efficiency of our resources, we shall carry out a re-evaluation of the responsibilities assigned to the PMF. Specifically, we shall effect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort/guard duties. While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole.

“By relieving the PMF of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large. To this end, a special committee headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) has been set up to assess and advise on how this strategy can be implemented seamlessly.”

He also said, the committee is expected to submit its report in two weeks after which further details will be made available.

According to him, “Our goal should be to enforce the law and to be partners in creating safe communities, nurturing an environment where everyone feels protected and valued. This is our commitment to Nigerians. To support the foregoing strategic plan and make needed manpower available for frontline duties, the withdrawn PMF officers will be replaced by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) only where necessary.

“To ensure the smooth implementation of this policy, we will, in consultation with the Police Service Commission, invoke the Supernumerary provision of Sections 23, 24 and 25 of the Police Act 2020 which allows the police to train supernumerary officers specifically for the personal protection duties of individual Nigerians who require their services.

“We will make details of this available in the weeks and months ahead; while making sure the policy is implemented strictly in accordance with best practices. This will free up regular police officers to focus more on frontline policing duties across the nation.

“It is important to note that these proposed operational strategies aims to foster a sense of trust, cooperation, and confidence within the Police Force. By involving personnel from various tactical units across the country, we emphasize the unity and collective responsibility of our Force.

“Through this collaborative effort, we can ensure that no area is left unattended, and all states receive the necessary support to combat crime effectively. These strategies will definitely require extra support, will and resources from the government. I am gladdened by the commitment of the government to support our efforts to restore enduring peace to every community in Nigeria.”

Mohammed Shosanya

Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf,Monday ordered the suspension of salaries of 10,000 workers pending Investigations.

Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, the Accountant General of the state gave the hint on a local Radio talk show in Kano, explained that the affected staff were employed by the previous administration.

According to him, a committee has been set up to investigate their engagement into the civil service, as he stressed that the outcome of finding would play a role in their fate.

He also announced suspension of transfer made by the previous government withim the civil service against existing rules adding that status quo ante should be maintained by the affected government officials

Mr Abdulsalam expressed the readiness of the new administration to pay workers salary by 25th of every month, as he revealed that pension and gratuity would be paid to retired worker as when due.

He disclosed that the new administration would operate a single account to ensure financial discipline.

The Federal Government has suspended construction works on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to aid the flow of traffic ahead of Eid el-Kabir celebration in the country.

The contractor has been notified and would suspend work on the project from Tuesday, June 27 to Sunday, July 2, when the festivities would have elapsed.

The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, disclosed this on Monday through a statement released and made available to newsmen.

Mohammed Shosanya

Garba Shehu, former spokesperson to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has cleared air on why his former boss didn’t remove the fuel subsidy in Nigeria

Buhari,he said,didn’t fail to remove the subsidy, rather he wanted it to be done at an appropriate time.

Shehu conveyed this clarification in a press statement on Monday.

He said, “Removing subsidies for the Naira and PMS was cued and put on hold. Look for example in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The important decision was kept for a better time.It couldn’t have come at a time when tensions were high in the country and no responsible leader would have added fuel to the fire.

“In the view of many-including those in the security circles- only a new administration with a goodwill that fills a warehouse can attempt this, and here now comes in the wit and grit of the Tinubu’s government.

“We must be politically honest with ourselves. The Buhari administration in its last days couldn’t have gone the whole way because the All Progressives Congress (APC) had an election to win.

“And that would have been the case with any political party that was seeking election for another term with a new principal at its head. Poll after polls showed that the party would have been thrown out of office if the decision as envisaged by the new Petroleum Industry Act was made,” he said.

On other subsidies which the former President successfully removed, Shehu said: “The fraudulent fertilizer subsidy. Hajj/Christian Pilgrim subsidies. Remember them? The diesel subsidy. The aviation fuel subsidy. LPFO. Kerosene. Cooking gas and the other subsidy policies we found in place, and put them firmly on the ground. Remember them?

“For those with short memories, many of those subsidies were all in place when President Buhari was elected to office in 2015: all those in place were gone by May 2023 – including the annual fertilizer subsidy that weighed 60-100 billion Naira (that’s trillion naira in about 10 years – yes you read that right) heavy on the federal budget each year.

“So no, Buhari didn’t remove the petrol subsidy – but in vitally important stages he removed every other budget-busting, egregious, economic-growth-crushing subsidy along the way.

“The decision to remove subsidies, as in our case – and we believe in all situations – was not for the President to take all by himself. That’s why it’s important to remind ourselves – and all those who have conveniently forgotten – that the Buhari administration had been on this pathway from the very beginning in 2015.

“We are mindful of the fact that with a Tinubu/Shettima presidency now in place and for which there is a “New Sheriff in Town.” We don’t want to distract them from the onerous tasks facing them and the nation.

“Neither is it our wish to take the spotlight away from them in any way. In terms of the timing of the decisions to remove fuel subsidies and unify the currency, the Tinubu/Shettima administration has done overwhelmingly well. Even more importantly, they have been most dexterous in managing the aftermath of the decisions by successfully avoiding any crisis.

“To this extent, our wish and prayers are that fellow countrymen will continue to support the new leadership in these very laudable decisions and, in particular, for the Labour leadership and civil society to work with them to ensure that the palliative efforts as promised are successfully implemented,”he said.