In line with
international best practice and his 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 our Airports and generally bolster the war against terror, the
Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, psc has ordered
the immediate deployment of sniffer dogs to the nation’s Airports.
At the
official flag off ceremony which took place, Thursday, 20th
February, 2014 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, fwc, stated that the sniffer-dogs will, 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 is 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.
It will be
recalled that this development is in line with IGP’s New Year message to all
Nigerians of a more proactive and extensive security measures to avert any
threats or potentially dangerous situations from arising or entering into the
country.
CSP FRANK E. MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA