The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has listed Bauchi as one of the pilot states to get the Special Intervention Squad, SIS.
Recall that the IGP had in January stated that the SIS would be launched in 10 pilot states, adding that it would address the recent surge in kidnapping, killing and other activities of bandits across the country.
Egbetokun, who made the disclosure Wednesday during a courtesy call paid to the Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, was in the state to commission the new Police Administrative block.
According to him, SIS will consist of a standby team of specially trained officers to rapidly intervene in major incidents relating to banditry and kidnapping.
He, however, did not disclose the other states where the SIS will be established.
His words “ I will like to thank the governor for giving the people of Bauchi the dividend of democracy. I want to thank you for the support you’ve given to the police.”
“From the report I’ve been receiving, It’s safe to say that Bauchi is one of the peaceful states in the North East. I also want to assure you that we will continue to support the government in ensuring the peace of the state is not broken.”
“The Force P.R.O. already led the cat out of the bag when he was talking about the establishment of the Special Intervention Squad in Bauchi.”
“ In my previous statement, I made it clear that the present police leadership will be establishing SIS in all the states of the Federation but we are starting in 10 pilot states.
” The SIS is going to be a squad in which its members will be carefully selected , they will be specially trained, specially equipped and motivated. They will not engage in routine anti-crime patrol. They will be housed, fed and well taken care of “
“From our observations, we realized that once we chase away bandits from a particular state, they will move to neighboring states. So if we have this kind of squad across the federation, They won’t have another state to run to.”
“ If we have SIS across the states, the days of the bandits and other criminals terrorizing our communities are numbered.”
Responding, the governor commended the IGP for his efforts in addressing the challenges facing the country, saying more needs to be done to tackle the challenges.
He said his administration will continue to support security agents in the discharge of their duties.
Mohammed urged the Nigeria Police Force to establish more outposts and formations across the state to assist in addressing the numerous security challenges facing the state and the country.