COUNTER-TERRORISM TRAINING FOR NIGERIAN POLICE OFFICERS: Britain, Italy pledge support.
The British High commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright and his Italian counterpart, Dr. Fulvio Rustico have both disclosed their countries readiness to provide specialist training on counter-terrorism for Nigerian Police officers as part of efforts to provide capacity in tackling terrorism in the country.
The two envoys spoke during separate visits to the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, at the weekend.
While the British High Commissioner intimated the IGP of Britain’s role as a major donor to the Nigeria Police Force in capacity building, he said his Government will do more in the area of Counter Terrorism Training for officers and men of the Force.
The Italian Ambassador, Dr. Rustico on his part informed the IGP of the willingness of his Government to partner with the Nigeria Police Force noting that there were plans on ground for Heads of Police from both countries to hold a bilateral meeting.
He disclosed that his Government had also concluded plans to train at least 20 officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force in Counter Terrorism.
Reacting to the remarks, the IGP expressed delight at the visits, acknowledging the fact that Nigeria Police Force personnel had in the past undergone series of training in Britain.
He further stated that he was confident that, the visit would open avenues for more of such opportunities.
He commended the Italian Government for rendering such invaluable assistance to the Police even as he assured the Ambassador that such contributions were immeasurable considering the current fight against Terrorism.
He further recounted how he had witnessed first-hand, the high standards maintained by the Italian Government as regards training of her security personnel, while he was working with the United Nations.
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