The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered the immediate deployment of sniffer dogs to the Airports in Nigeria.
This, according to a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, is in line with international best practice.
The statement also stated that the directive was made in line with the IGP’s sworn resolve to drastically reduce crime, provide and maintain safety and security of persons, protect vulnerable and critical government infrastructures, reduce possibility of arms smuggling through the airports and generally bolster the war against terror.
At the official flag off ceremony which took place on Thursday, February 20 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the IGP, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Zuokumor Michael, stated that the sniffer-dogs would, among other things, be used for detecting explosives, rescue operations, perimeter patrols, patrols of parking lots and the apprehension of offenders resisting or attempting to evade arrest.
He charged the dog handlers to respect the fundamental rights of the citizens and also work in collaboration with other security agencies towards providing effective security at the airports.
The IGP also called for the cooperation of the general public, assuring them that his administration would do all that was necessary to provide them with optimum security.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the deployment of the sniffer-dogs has commenced with the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Murtala Mohammed International Airport I and II, Lagos and Port-Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
Others are Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Jos Airport, as well as Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
This development is in line with the IGP’s New Year message to Nigerians, in which he promised more proactive and extensive security measures to avert any threats or potentially dangerous situations from arising or entering into the country.
