The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening its counter-terrorism capacity through specialised training for personnel of the Force Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).
The commitment followed the successful conclusion of a two-week training programme for 55 CTU personnel, organised by the Nigeria Police Force in partnership with the British High Commission through the Office of the Counter Terrorism Regional Coordinator for West Africa. The programme ended on October 30, 2026.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniede, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, adding that the training brought together personnel from various CTU bases across the country. She noted that it was the third edition of the programme in 2026, with previous sessions held between February and October.
The training focused on Intelligence Analysis (IA) and Close Quarter Battle (CQB), with the objective of improving participants’ intelligence-gathering and analytical skills, as well as their ability to interpret and apply credible intelligence in operational decision-making.
Topics covered included intelligence fundamentals and principles, human intelligence tools, open-source intelligence, principles of close-quarter battle, weapon carriage and room-clearance procedures.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit, AIG Akoh B. Gabriel, expressed the Force’s appreciation to the British High Commission for its support and partnership in the fight against terrorism.
Gabriel disclosed that 165 police personnel had been trained since the inception of the programme, including officers who participated in sponsored courses at the International Academy in Côte d’Ivoire.
He further revealed that the unit, in collaboration with experts from the British High Commission, had conducted a comprehensive review of its training programmes and a training needs assessment to address emerging terrorist threats and evolving criminal methods.
According to him, the 2027 training programme will be expanded to cover tactical operations, musketry, counter-terrorism investigations, and battlefield evidence collection, preservation and chain of custody.
The IGP’s representative urged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the discharge of their duties, particularly as the 2027 general elections approach.
He also called on CTU personnel to support the Force in providing adequate security for the elections, stressing that IGP Disu was committed to ensuring police neutrality and creating a conducive environment for free, fair and credible elections.
Other dignitaries at the event included the representative of the British High Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Tyler; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit, CP Taiwo A. Adedeji; and the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the unit, ACP Moses Osor.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to equipping its personnel with the requisite skills, knowledge and professional capacity to discharge their constitutional responsibilities in line with international best practices.
