Fear of Boko Haram: 190 Policemen Abscond From Counter-Terrorism Training

No fewer than 190 riot policemen undergoing training for counter-insurgency operations have reportedly absconded from the Special Forces School, Buni-Yadi, Yobe State, according to The PUNCH.

Police authorities have consequently ordered the arrest and prosecution of the affected officers.

The fleeing policemen were part of the 2,000 Police Mobile Officers mobilised for the training preparatory to their deployment for combat against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

They were deployed by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, about three weeks ago for purely military duties under the ‘Operation Lafiya Dole.’

The Police authorities had argued that the deployment of the men was consistent with Section 4 of the Police Act and Regulations, which allows them to perform such military duties both within and outside Nigeria as may be required of them.

The 190 missing cops were believed to have bailed out of the SFS because they did not want to participate in the counter-insurgency operations.

Findings indicate that the policemen were drawn from MOPOL (2), Keffi (3), Enugu (5), Benin (8), Jos (11), Calabar (16), Abeokuta.

Others were from MOPOLs 17, Akure; 18, Owerri; 19, Port Harcourt; 20/22, Ikeja; 23,Keffi Str.; 26, Uyo; 28,Umuahia; 30, Yenagoa; 31, Asaba; 32, Abakaliki; 35 Dutse; 39, Ogbomoso; 43 Lion Building; 50, Kubwa; 51, Oghara; 54, Onitsha and 56 Ogoni.

The newspaper quoted a police wireless message with reference DTO:241610/12/2018 signed by the Commissioner of Police in charge MOPOL, directing that the errant operatives should be arrested and produced under escort.

Checks by the newspaper also showed that over 120 of the absconded officers were Sergeants while the rest included some Inspectors and a few Corporals.

Police authorities had disclosed that the Force had on the ground 47 PMF units in Borno, 26 units in Yobe and 18 units in Adamawa in addition to the regular PMF Squadrons in the three states.

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