The Nigeria Police are fully preparing for the 2019 general elections in the country with the holding of a conference for the officers on Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and those in Special Protection Unit (SPU). The conference is aimed at perfecting the plans of the Nigeria Police Force towards the 2019 general elections.
According to the police, the Counter Terrorism Unit was established as a specially trained strike Force with capacity to address the threat of terrorism and sundry insurgency threats to our national security, while the Special Protection Unit is a Police detachment that is dedicated to the provision of specialized security and escort duties for high-risk individuals and corporate organisations that may be under security threat.
The Two Units were established to complement the Police Mobile Force towards supporting the conventional police in addressing critical internal security threats and civil disorders.
The Inspector General Police, Mohammed Adamu, who decalred the conference opened in Abuja today, Wednesday, said that by virtue of their training and expertise, personnel from the Counterterrorism Unit and Special Protection Unit are critical components of the broad election security plan of the Nigeria Police Force.
“It is for this reason that you are all invited here to brainstorm and be briefed on the specific roles that you will be expected to perform during the general elections.
“Within this context of the Strategic Election Security Operational Plan of the Force, you shall be required to deploy your personnel to:
i. Provide specialized protection for INEC staff, and NYSC and other ad-hoc personnel of the Commission that will be deployed for the elections
ii. Secure INEC facilities across the country.
iii. Undertake patrols of the public space before, during and after the elections
iv. Act as reserve Forces that could be deployed for rapid response to crisis areas during the elections.
v. Provide specialized security for local and international election observers
vi. Escort sensitive electoral materials
vii. Provide specialized protection to critical national assets during the exercise.”
The Inpector General said that in order to ensure full mobilization and deployment of personnel for these duties, we shall in the coming days prune down or order the withdrawal of SPU and CTU operatives that are currently on non-essential duties including those attached to certain categories of personalities.
“In performing your election security duties, let me assure you that adequate provisions have been made for your welfare. In return, we expect the highest possible level of professionalism from you, knowing that your conducts will be subjected to national and international scrutiny. I am confident, on my part, that you have the professional depth, strength of character and strong sense of commitment to duty which are needed to guarantee your optimal performance and the success of the exercise.”
