Days of Police Officers Running From Gunshots Over, Ondo CP Says as 65 Undergo Training on Hostage Rescue, Riot Control

The Ondo State Commissioner of Police Abayomi Oladipo has said the days of Police officers running away when they hear gunshots is over in the coastal state.

The Police Commissioner stated this on Monday while inaugurating  a one-week training on combating the scourge of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, and other raging crimes in state for 65 Police officers in the state.

He said the programme was part of the training and retraining for the year 2024 for conventional police drawn from various Formations/Divisions of the Command.

CP Abayomi said the participants would be retrained on challenges associated with their responsibility of taking up the lead positions in combating criminal activities and protecting lives and prosperities.

 He said the training was also organized in response to one of the key agenda of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun who directed that training and retraining is important to any sphere of human endeavor, most especially, the Police. 

His words: “You are here today to be part of the local training. I want to enjoin you to key into this because the knowledge  you acquire today might be useful to you in the near future, particularly with the increasing crime in our dear nation.

“The knowledge acquired here can grant you survival when you find yourself in a professional situation. I want to advise you that this training is to challenge your resilience to hard times. So, participate with your spirit and physical body. You will see that at the end of the day, you will be a better police officer. 

“The days of running away when you hear gunshots are over. You must face the challenges with all attention it deserves. As you embark on this training, take note that the training is a continuous exercise”, he stressed.

He added that, “self-survival is the first law of nature. Crisis will not tell you when it will come. That’s why our motor is that of Boys scout, ‘Be Prepared’. So, you should always be prepared for crisis, riot drills which you may not know when it will come. After your set, another set will be coming in. There will be advance stage of this training”.

Earlier, the Commander, 17 Squadron Police Mobile Force, Akure, Adeola Odetunji said the training is in line with the IGP’s agenda to ensuring professionalism and zero tolerance for corrupt practices which is also in line with international best practices and reflects unwavering dedication to equipping police officers and men with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to adapt to the evolving landscape of crime and security challenges facing the state and the nation at large.

“The participants will undergo a one week training programme as it aims at equipping the participants with basic knowledge and skills as regards Ambush/counter ambush operation, hostage rescue mission operation, principle of marksmanship/musketry, criminal procedure and human right, unarmed combat, escort general, riot control/dispersal, obstacle crossing, public relation and above all instill courage in the men.

“Sir, today will be written in gold, as it marks the first time the Commissioner of Police will in person inaugurate the training programme since its commencement two decades ago. Your presence here today, is a morale boaster to the instructors/resource persons, the participants and the entire officers and men of the Command. Your vision and guidance have been instrumental in shaping our approach to law enforcement and we are privileged to have you here today.

“To all the participants of the programme, I urge you to seize the opportunity to expand your expertise, cultivate new insights and forge meaningful connections with your fellow officers. Your commitment to continuous learning and professional development is vital in ensuring that our Police Force remains at the forefront of excellence in law enforcement in Nigeria”, Odetunji added.

Fidelis David in Akure

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