By Augustine Ehikioya
In the face of current security challenges in the country, the Commandant, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, AIG Ahmad Abdurraman, has said that the crises are best handled by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Noting that the NPF is not overwhelmed by the crises as it has the necessary expertise, he however said that it looked helpless due to shortfall in manpower and equipment.
He said the Police will rise to the occasion if given the right equipment, manpower and logistics.
Abdurraman, who is the 22nd Commandant of the Academy, gave kudos to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, being supported by President Muhammadu Buhari, in purchasing new equipment and providing other key logistics.
He spoke with Security Watch Africa (SWA), in his office in Kano State.
He said “I am a believer of division of labour. The crisis within Nigeria is best handled by the Nigeria Police Force. We are not overwhelmed because of lack of proper knowledge or expertise knowledge in nipping the problems in the bud.
“But because we have dearth of equipment, logistics. Also we need more manpower. When you don’t have manpower and you don’t have the right equipment to fight this insurgent, definitely you will look helpless.
“So Police are not overwhelmed but they look helpless. The only saving grace is the current Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, who has the trust of the President and even a layman can see how equipment are being purchased by the Police Force with the approval and grace of the President,” he stated.
With proper provision of equipment and manpower for the Police, he said, that other security agencies presently involved in internal security can go back to their constitutional roles.
“Now manpower with the current recruitment going on, I think we will have some solace. So with the Nigeria Police Force having the right fighting equipment and the number of manpower required, I’m telling you, the Nigerian Armed Forces will go back to their traditional duty which is even better for the country.
“Because when you bring the highest security arrangement of a Nation, like the military that is supposed to protect the country from outside aggression, and you bring them to internal security, then there are two things you are doing for the country.
“You are desensitizing the Military to become Civil Police and at the same time, you are militarizing the Civil Police to be with the Military because of the long time interaction. You always copy your environment, not to talk about your colleagues when you are doing joint operations.
“So, the earlier the better Police is equipped and allowed to do its internal operations well,” the Commandant stated.
He however noted that there are rare cases in internal security when the Military will be invited to lead while the Police follows.
After doing the needful, he said, the Military will then handover to the Police and go back to their traditional job.
“This is what I’m praying will happen soon,” he added.
Stressing that Nigeria Police personnel are still taking part in trainings abroad, he said, that Police cadets from outside the country will also soon have opportunity to be trained in a new department in the Academy.
He said the Academy is also collaborating with some universities in the country in order to offer greater values to the Police cadets.
The Commandant urged Nigerians to continue to support the Nigeria Police Force, especially by coming forward with information against crimes and criminality.
Police and security agencies, he said, cannot succeed without meaningful intelligence.
Pointing out that the period the Police is seen as enemy is long gone, he urged Nigerians not only to own the Police, but also to take Police as their friend.