Police Mobile Force commanders finish combat training

Selected commanders from the Police Mobile Force across Nigeria have just completed a month-long training on weapon handling and combat skills. This training took place at the Force Training College in Ila-Orangun, Osun State.

At the passing-out ceremony on Tuesday, Anietie Eyoh, the Commandant of the Police Mobile Force Training College, urged the commanders to use the skills they learned for better policing in their assignments.

Eyoh explained that the participants went through an intense month of training. This included learning combat techniques and weapon handling, as well as developing their leadership skills.

He said this training is part of the reforms started by Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu. The aim is to improve how the Force delivers its services.

"We have trained them on weapon handling, combat techniques, and tactics to confront enemies in the forest. They also went through drills and learned discipline, leadership, team communication, reporting, and stability patrol concepts. They studied contemporary challenges, law and human rights, conflict management, emergency response, first aid, and physical conditioning. They practiced jungle and forest survival skills and other relevant field exercises," Eyoh stated.

Eyoh added that the training was not just about making officers stronger physically. The goal was to create disciplined police officers who can think clearly, communicate well, work in teams, respect lawful authority, make good decisions, and understand the responsibilities that come with police work.

Kayode Ajayi, speaking for the 11 PMF commanders who trained, said the program helped them understand the demands of their service. He noted that the training offered physical, mental, and professional challenges.

"It taught us discipline, perseverance, teamwork, obedience to authority, leadership, responsibility, and commitment to our duties. We came here as police officers from different backgrounds, but we leave with a stronger grasp of what it means to serve in the Police Mobile Force," Ajayi said.

Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Oragun of Oke-Ila, praised the training scheme. He said it is important for improving policing and security in Nigeria.

"This initiative has sparked more enthusiasm and development needed to uplift our security forces. What they have learned here will greatly impact Nigeria's security," he said.

According to The PUNCH, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu is confident the Mobile Police Force can tackle issues like insurgency and banditry. He emphasized that the success of the government's efforts to fight these problems relies heavily on the Mobile Police Force being ready for action.

The IG made this statement while opening a training course for trainers and instructors at the Police Mobile Force Training College in Ende Hills, Nasarawa State. He pointed out that Mobile Police officers have the special training and skills needed to face insurgency.