INAUGURATION IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY (8/4/14) WITH HIM IS THE IGP MOHAMMED
ABUBAKAR.
President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday commended security agencies in the country for their commitment and sacrifice in tackling current security challenges.
Jonathan made the commendation at the inauguration of Police International Peacekeeping Centre at the force headquarters, Abuja.
“Let me use this unique opportunity to appreciate the commitment and services the security operatives have been rendering to this country in spite of the challenges we have.
“For the ordinary people, they may not know the commitment and contributions of the military police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“But for me, who is in the centre of everything, I know what they have been doing and I believe, God being with us, we will overcome our challenges”, he said.
The president noted that the country was passing through hard times as insecurity had escalated but gave assurance that government was determined to overcome the myriad of challenges.
“We live in changing times in which we are witnessing unprecedented violence and criminal acts. We are witnessing an escalation of terrorism.
“Terrorist acts and insurgency are inimical to our progress; our dear country has, unfortunately, experienced this odious development, but we are determined to confront them”, he said.
He charged the police, as the lead agency responsible for maintenance of internal security, to live up to its responsibility of combating terror and other forms of criminality.
Jonathan assured that the force could fight crime, adding that the citizens must be provided with adequate security to go about their businesses without fear.
He noted that the exploits of the police in international peacekeeping operations had been widely acknowledged and advised that the centre be used to train peacekeepers.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, said the police had made giant strides in peacekeeping operations at global, regional and sub-regional levels.
“It is noteworthy that due to the exemplary performance of our officers, the AU commission has specifically requested for a second `Formed Police Unit’ to the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISSON)”, he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre, which had 250-capacity auditorium, would be used to train officers being deployed for international peace missions across the globe.
NAN also reports that all the service chiefs, the National Security Adviser (NSA), ministers and members of the National Assembly, attended the event. (NAN)
