The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the establishment of three new Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) bases across the country as part of a major strategic expansion to crush terrorism and banditry.
The new bases will be located in Madagali, Adamawa State; Ikot Odo in Akpabuyo, Cross River State; and Ode-Remo in Ogun State.
Alongside these new installations, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of additional CTU personnel to strategic hotspots nationwide to bolster rapid response capabilities and secure vulnerable regions.
This expansion coincides with the graduation of 56 CTU officers from an intensive, two-week specialized training program conducted in collaboration with the British High Commission. The “Close Quarter Battle and Intelligence Analysis” course focused on modern tactical combat and data-driven response to emerging security threats.
Speaking at the closing ceremony at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Saturday, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Tyler, representing the British High Commission, praised the professionalism of the Nigerian officers. He reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Police Force in strengthening counter-terrorism efforts across the West African sub-region.
In a statement delivered on his behalf by AIG Akoh Gabriel, IGP Disu emphasized that the training and base expansions are central to his administration’s goal of upscaling the Force’s operational capacity.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to building capacity and deploying strategic resources to combat terrorism and other emerging security threats across the country,” the statement noted.
The move is seen as a proactive response to the evolving nature of crime in the country, ensuring that the police are not just reacting to threats but are positioned with the intelligence and specialized manpower to prevent them.