Alkali inaugurates MPF barracks in Enugu, calls for partnership to tackle insecurity
From Chinedu Nwafor Abakaliki
The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Alkali, has inaugurated new complex and barracks of Mobile Police Force (MPF) 76 Squadron, Agu-Ekwegbe near Nsukka in Enugu State.
The IGP also inauguraed an ultra modern Inyi Divisional Police Station and accommodation in Enugu State.
Alkali while inaugurating the facilities charged state and local governments to strengthen their partnership with FG to tackle the lingering insecurity in Nigeria
He appreciated Enugu State Government for building and donating the new complex and barracks of Mobile Police Force 76 Squadron, Agu-Ekwegbe near Nsukka to the Nigeria Police.
He said “our sincere gratitude goes to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the good people of Enugu State for providing an excellent working place and accommodation for police personnel to rest at the end of the day.”
He thanked Agu-Ekwegbe community for providing the expanded land for the Mobile Police Force 76 Squadron complex and cooperating with the contractor handling the complex during its construction.
Alkali said: “I am calling on the new MPF 76 Squadron Commander to reciprocate the good gesture of the good people of Enugu State by ensuring adequate and robust security within this area.
“I will be donating an additional Hilux jeep to the new squadron, 10 AK-47, one general purpose machine gun, body armours and one Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to be collected immediately from the Force Headquarters.
“On the governor’s request, we will make efforts to deploy Special Forces to the state but you have to provide the needed accommodation for them.
“I have given authority to the new Squadron Commander to recruit more mobile police personnel from all divisions, units and squads within the state.
“As you have requested, I will release back to you units of the Mobile Police Force 3 Squadron before now in assignments outside the state.”
Speaking on the ultra modern Inyi Divisional Police Station, the Inspector General of Police urged Inyi community to jealously guide the station and help in protecting it since it was meant to serve them and Oji River council area in general.
“I am also charging police personnel to serve the community and the council area with professionalism and elicit the people’s confidence to gain information and intelligence from them for effective policing,” he said.
Alkali noted that the security challenge in the South-East and the country in general was surmountable only if the people could work in close partnership and cooperation with the police.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in his remarks thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous investment in security and safety of all Nigerians especially the residents of Enugu State.
The governor also appreciated President Buhari and the I-G for approving to establish and host MPF 76 Squadron in the state, adding that the new squadron had moved down and started full operation already.
According to him, the state government is further supporting the new squadron with a Hilux jeep, five motorcycles and two generating sets to rid this axis of criminality and criminal elements.
“This project is one among series of interventions of the stat government to ensure that Enugu State remains the safest state in the country; as well as guarantee peace, security and safety at all time.
“As a government, we will continue to support and complement the activities of various security agencies serving in the state especially the Nigeria Police,” he said.
Ugwuanyi, however, requested the I-G to deploy Special Forces to the state, deploy more units for new MPF 76 Squadron, release of units of MPF 3 Squadron working outside the state and more Armoured Personnel Carriers, among others.
The new MPF 76 Squadron complex consist of an administrative block with offices and a conference hall, provost office, two quarters for the commander and his assistant, clinic, canteen, transit hall, solar lighting, generating set, standard parade ground among others.
