A total of 1,304 police recruits from Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa States have begun training at the Police Training School in Odukpani, Cross River State.
The school’s Commandant, ACP Gambo Erena, revealed this during a visit by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone 6, Jonathan Towuru. Zone 6 Calabar oversees Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
ACP Erena welcomed the AIG and briefed him on the progress of the training, which started 15 weeks ago. He explained that the recruits are undergoing rigorous instruction in drills, liberal studies, legal studies, and modern policing techniques.
In his address, AIG Towuru congratulated the recruits on their admission into the program and commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for prioritizing the training initiative as part of efforts to reform the Nigeria Police Force for more effective service delivery.
The AIG emphasized that the training is designed to instill discipline at the grassroots level and ensure regular supervision, aligning with international standards for a more accountable police force. He encouraged the recruits to fully engage with the program to prepare themselves for their constitutional duties.
Highlighting the evolving nature of society and crime, AIG Towuru stressed the importance of continuous self-improvement for officers to address contemporary challenges such as identity theft and other crimes.
He also urged the recruits to uphold citizens’ human rights as outlined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the revised Police Act 2020.
Additionally, the AIG advised the school staff to conduct regular health assessments of the trainees to ensure their readiness for the physical, mental, and academic demands of the training.
In a related statement, Zone 6 PRO, Nelson Okpabi, noted that the AIG’s visit coincided with an assessment tour by the Assistant Director of Administration at the Police Trust Fund (PTF), Mr. Rabiu Nahala, who is exploring ways to enhance the school’s facilities.