IGP urges state govts on partnership to combat insecurity

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba, has tasked state and local governments with working in partnership to tackle existing and emerging insecurity bedeviling the country.

Alkali made the call on Wednesday while inaugurating the new complex and barracks of Mobile Police Force (MPF) 76 Squadron, at Agu-Ekwegbe, near Nsukka, as well as an ultramodern Inyi Divisional Police Station and accommodations, all in Enugu State.

He appreciated the Enugu State Government for building and donating the new complex and barracks of Mobile Police Force 76 Squadron, Agu-Ekwegbe, to the Nigeria Police.

According to him, "our sincere gratitude goes to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the good people of Enugu State for providing an excellent working place and accommodation for police personnel to rest at the end of the day."

The police chief thanked the Agu-Ekwegbe community for providing the expanded land for the Mobile Police Force 76 Squadron complex and cooperating with the contractor who handled the complex.

"I am calling on the new MPF 76 Squadron Commander to reciprocate the good will of the good people of Enugu State by ensuring adequate and robust security within this area.

"I will be donating an additional Hilux jeep to the new squadron, 10 AK-47s, one general-purpose machine gun, body armor, and one armored personnel carrier (APC) to be collected immediately from the Force Headquarters.

On the governor's request for a deployment of Special Forces to the state, more units for the new MPF 76 Squadron, the release of units of MPF 3 Squadron working outside the state, and more APC, among others, Alkali said, "We will make efforts to deploy Special Forces to the state, but you have to provide the needed accommodation for them."

"I have given authority to the new squadron commander to recruit more mobile police personnel from all divisions, units, and squads within the state.

"As you requested, I will return to you units of the Mobile Police Force 3 Squadron that were previously assigned outside of the state," he said.

On the ultra-modern Inyi Divisional Police Station, the IGP urged the Inyi community to jealously guard the station and help in protecting it since it was meant to serve them and the Oji River council area in general.

"I am also charging police personnel to serve the community and the council area with professionalism and elicit the people's confidence to gain information and intelligence from them for effective policing," he said.

Alkali noted that the security challenge in the south-east and the country in general is surmountable and needs the people to work in close partnership and cooperation with the police.

Earlier, Ugwuanyi thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous investment in the security and safety of all Nigerians, especially the residents of Enugu State.

The governor also appreciated President Buhari and the IGP for approving the establishment and hosting of MPF 76 Squadron in the state, adding that the new squadron had already started full operations in the state.

According to him, the state government is further supporting the new squadron with a Hilux jeep, five motorcycles, and two generator sets to rid this axis of criminality and criminal elements.

"This project is one of a series of interventions by the state government to ensure that Enugu State remains the safest state in the country, as well as guarantee peace, security, and safety at all times."

"As a government, we will continue to support and complement the activities of various security agencies serving in the state, especially the Nigeria Police," he said.

The new MPF 76 Squadron complex consists of an administrative block with offices and a conference hall, a provost office, two quarters for the commander and his assistant, a clinic, a canteen, a transit hall, solar lighting, a generating set, and a standard parade ground, among others.