Insecurity: Nigerian Police to train 10,000 constables to carry arms

The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that 10,000 Constables will undergo a two-week intensive drilling to enhance their firearms skills.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone F, AIG Benneth C. Igweh, disclosed this during an official visit to the Niger State Police Command on Thursday .

He explained that upon completion of the training exercise, the Constables will be authorized to carry arms, bolstering the Police Force’s capacity to respond to emerging threats.

Igweh revealed that the move is aimed at curbing insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities plaguing the country.

He explained, “Training the Constables would increase participation, manpower and provides them with agility required to fight and defend the country and it’s citizens.”

Igweh emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining law and order, advocating for joint policing that empowers all stakeholders to take action, adding, “Everyone has a role to play in keeping our communities safe, and power to arrest those who break the law has been given to everyone in the society.”

Earlier, Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, lamented that insecurity in the state has remained a challenge in villages bordering Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

“Challenges of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and farmers/herders clashes are prevailing at Munya, Mariga, Rafi, Shiroro, and parts of Kontagora local governments which shares border with Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states.”

The CP explained that the command in its effort to tackle insecurity is synergizing with other sister agencies, such as Army, DSS, Immigration, FRSC, NDLEA, Civil Defense Corps and Federal Fire Service for holistic policing and protection of lives and property.

He listed some challenges confronting the Command to include youth restiveness, inadequate logistics, inadequate operational vehicles, shortage of manpower, and lack of office structure and accommodation.