The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has launched the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to combat kidnappers and bandits, especially in border towns. The squad will patrol and secure the communities within the FCT and respond to violent attacks.
The Nigeria Police Force announced in late 2023 that 40,000 SIS operatives, who are undergoing training, will be deployed to Katsina and nine other states, including the FCT, as a pilot project. The squad commanders will be trained in Mexico.
Egbetokun, who assumed office in June 2023, said the SIS is his maiden project and a priority in his administration’s effort to fight violent crime in the country. He said the SIS will be a standby team of specially trained officers to quickly intervene in large insecurity situations. He added that the other 27 states will follow the 10 pilot states soon.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the SIS will not operate like the defunct Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SARS) that was notorious for human rights abuses. He said the SIS operatives, drawn from the Police Mobile Force, the Counter Terrorism Unit, and the tactical squad, will not be involved in escort duties or stop and search operations.
He said the squad commanders will work under the command of the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
