Selected squadron commanders of the Police Mobile Force drawn from different formations across the country have completed a month-long training in weapon handling and combat manoeuvring at the Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State.
Speaking at the passing-out ceremony organised for the trainees on Tuesday, the Commandant, Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, Anietie Eyoh, urged them to leverage the skills they had acquired for professional and effective policing in their different places of assignment.
He further said the participants had undergone a month of intensive training in areas that included combat and weapon handling, alongside professional leadership development.
He added that the training exercise was part of the institutional reforms initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to improve the Force’s service delivery.
“We have given them training on weapon handling, combat manoeuvres and the tactics that will make them approach the enemy inside the forest.
“They have also gone through drill and discipline, leadership and team command, team command operational communication and reporting, clearance and stability patrol concepts, contemporary operational challenges, law and human rights, conflict management and de–escalation, emergency response, first aid, casualty management, physical conditioning, endurance activities, jungle and forest survival principles and relevant field exercises.
“The objective was not merely to make them physically stronger. We sought to develop disciplined police officers who can think professionally, communicate effectively, work as a team, respect lawful authority, exercise sound judgement and understand the responsibility that accompanies police powers,” Eyoh stated.
Speaking on behalf of the 11 PMF commanders who attended the training, Kayode Ajayi said the exercise had improved the participants’ understanding of the demands of PMF service and prepared them for greater responsibility.
He also said the training exercise provided physical, mental and professional challenges for the commanders, noting that, “It taught us discipline, perseverance, teamwork, obedience to lawful authority, leadership, responsibility and commitment to duty.
“We came to this College as police officers drawn from different formations, with different experiences and backgrounds, but we leave here with a stronger understanding of the responsibilities, discipline and professional expectations associated with service in the Police Mobile Force,” Ajayi said.
In his remarks at the event, the Oragun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, described the training scheme as “Important for the advancement of policing and security in the country.
“This initiative has encouraged more enthusiasm and development needed to elevate the security force in Nigeria. What they have come here to do will have a great impact on Nigeria security.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, expressed confidence in the ability of the Mobile Police Force to tackle insurgency and banditry across the country.
He noted that the success of the Federal Government’s drive to quell insurgency and banditry would depend largely on the operational readiness of the Police Mobile Force.
The IG stated this while declaring open a training course for trainers and instructors of the Mobile Police Force at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende Hills, in Nasarawa State.
He stressed that Mobile Police officers possessed the specialised training and tactical ability required to combat insurgency.
