The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has started training over 400 personnel as new Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT) at the Police Mobile College in Eggon, Nasarawa State.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, when he visited the college to inspect the training on Monday, according to Channelstv.
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The Minister said, “I am happy with the progress the personnel is making and charged them to be good role models of the society.
“I believe at the end of this exercise you are going to come out as very dedicated and very committed mobile police officers who will be equal to the task we have assigned to you.
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“Your new responsibility as a replacement to SARS is to face the challenges of armed robbery and other crimes across the country.”
He also acknowledged the changing times and advised the personnel to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights as they get set to carry out their new task.
The minister further assured the personnel, of President Muhammadu Buhari’s readiness to improve their welfare and other packages promised them.
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VIDEO: Minister Of Police Affairs Inspects SWAT Training https://t.co/v0l4rmCWUc pic.twitter.com/2biXFZYMQR
— Channels Television (@channelstv) November 2, 2020
What you should know
The personnel has been undergoing training for weeks at the college, which is the second location of the SWAT personnel training in the country.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had announced the mandate for the newly formed SWAT, including response to robbery attacks, rescue operations, and special operations involving high-profile criminals.
This was posted on social media by the Nigerian Police Force about three weeks ago.
The IGP had set up a new outfit to take over from the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigerian Police Force.