Boko Haram: U.S to train NSCDC personnel on counter terrorism

United States of America, Senior Police Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Michael Bonner, said in Maiduguri on Tuesday of arrangement to train and provide technical support to personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enhance its operations in the counter-terrorism operations.

Bonner pointed out that such technical support is imperative in view of NSCDC’s contributions in promoting national security and in its roles in the protection of critical infrastructure.

The U.S official dropped the hints during a visit to the Commandant General, NSCDC, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the state NSCDC Commandant in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

Bonner observed that “Absolutely, when you talk about safety and security in Nigeria, the primary concern is the North-East, and the state that needs attention the most right now is Borno.

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“It is a great opportunity to meet NSCDC officers and hear from you how the U.S can assist you. We are also planning to train the NSCDC personnel on post-bomb blast investigation techniques.

“We have already put in place some courses that will run strictly for the NSCDC on critical infrastructure protection. The course is designed to train about 25 officers of the NSCDC who will also train other officers of the command,” hr reiterated.

In addition, he noted that they are looking at other joint training for the NSCDC and the Nigeria Police Force which would include counter-terrorism techniques to enable you to identify potential threats and protect people in soft targets as well as prevent terror attack.

Expressing satisfaction with NSCDC’s role in community policing, added that the U.S. Embassy would liaise with some humanitarian organisations to assist the command at improving its operations.

In its reaction, the Commandant General Abdullahi noted with satisfaction their level of success in the protection of civilians in the state.

He pointed out that government’s approval for the agency to bear arms has significantly assisted them in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

As part of its success story noted, “We have arrested a lot of high profile Boko Haram insurgents, their food and fuel suppliers, we also intercepted some cow rustlers and recovered a spiritual Book which the insurgents used to hypnotise new recruits.

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In his conflict resolution drive, the agency, according to Abdullahi had resolved more than 15,000 cases under its dispute resolution exercise.