The Nigeria Police Force is set to undergo more reform, the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, declared in Port Harcourt, revealing that over 45,000 police personnel are set to receive training that will equip them with the modern skills necessary to combat crime and terrorism in Nigeria.
The acting IGP said the nationwide training is aimed at producing a police force that is efficient and people friendly.
According to reports, the training will be conducted in batches, with 20,000 policemen participating in the first round of training, followed by 15,000 and then 10,000 law enforcement officers.
Earlier, the newly appointed acting police boss declared that he is on a mission to reform the failing law enforcement sector and mend its public image. He had also hinted that mobile policemen will be trading their assault rifles for rubber bullets.
A spate of extrajudicial killings by the police officers, reportedly over failed bribery extortion attempts, has left the general public with a sour taste when it comes to the police force. In an effort to change the jaded perception the law enforcement body, Abubakar has instituted some changes, including banning police checkpoints across the nation.
Added to that are the new trainings; however, Abubakar acknowledged the lack of proper training facilities in the country, revealing that police cadets often slept on bare floors.
He vowed that the institutions would receive a much needed and long overdue facelift in order to allow the police officers to train under better conditions.
Abubakar expressed his determination to bring the Nigeria Police Force up to international standard, a feat he says can be accomplished when officers receive better training, equipment and payment.
According to him, the era of police brutality and bailing suspects with money are gone, saying: “we are ready to work for Nigeria and Nigerians. The police are to serve the people and not the other way round,”
