Boko Haram: Kano Police Train 1000 Officers On Anti-Terrorism Tactics

In its bid to confront terrorist activities, police in Kano northwest Nigeria have commenced training and retraining of its men and officers on target shooting and other anti-terrorism tactics.

P.M.NEWS reports that since the 20 January coordinated attack on Kano by the dreaded Islamic Boko Haram sect that claimed over 200 lives including police men, members of the Force have become major targets of the Islamic militants who have been on the rampage in Kano and most states of the North.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris told reporters at the Bompai Police Headquarters this evening that his Command is closing flanks on security challenges in the state, adding that recent incidents have rather made the Police stronger and more conscious.

Already, 1000 men and officers of the Command have passed out from the special training designed to be continuous and routine until all the 8500 men and officers in the Command were trained and retrained.

“I must tell you that the Command is fully prepared to train and retrain our officers for anti-terrorism combatant. As at now, 1000 men and officers have passed out; and the second batch has been taken to the training ground. We will continue until all our men and officers are trained and retrained specially on anti-terrorism. Our mandate is to measure with the international standard of crime fighting,” Idris stated.

The Police boss also reiterated the resolve by the Joint Task Force, JTF, to ensure peace and order during the Easter celebration, just as he urged Christians in the state not to panic.

According to him, Police in Kano arrested about 16 suspected criminals in the past one week for various criminal activities ranging from car-snatching, burglary, armed robbery, illegal possession of fire arm and criminal conspiracy.

Arms and ammunitions recovered from the suspected criminals include two AK47 Riffles, two Double Berrel Rifle, one Pump Action, two Beretta pistiol, two Makarov pistol, one Dane gun, one Italian made Revolver pistol, four locally made revolver pistols, one locally made cartridges pistol, one locally made Riffle, 24 rounds of 2.76mm Live ammunitions and six cartridges.

Among other items recovered from the suspects include five vehicles, two pieces of lap-top computers, one car VCD Radio, One digital Sony Camera and one Nokia phone.

CP Idris dedicated the recent breakthrough by the Command to the cooperation of members of the public.

In his words, “we want to thank traditional institutions and members of the general for their prayers and timely information which led to this success. Our colleagues in JTF (comprises of the Police, Army, Air Force and State Security Service) will not be left behind for their excellent operations and providing internal security in the state.”

Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano