… Graduates first all-female Armed Squad
By Palma Ileye
In its resolve and commitment in providing security for the country’s borders and ensuring that the lives, properties of people were well guarded as well as protected, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has graduated its first female Armed Squad to boost security.
Speaking yesterday, during the Passing Out Parade of the first all-female Armed Squad of the Nigeria Immigration Service, held at the Nigeria Immigration training school, Ahoada, the Comptroller General of NIS, Isah Jere Idris, stated that as a major stakeholder in the security of the nation, it has also been a player in the fight against terrorism, trans-border crimes and other emerging security threats to the country.
Idris who was represented by the DCI Anthony Akuneme, the Service Public Relations Officer, noted that the NIS has continuously embarked on training and other capacity building programmes both within and outside of Nigeria in order to broaden the knowledge and prepare officers to deliver on its mandate.
He disclosed that the essence of the training was to ensure the readiness of personnel both physically and mentally, saying that, “it is not only to confront the security challenges in our country, but also to compete favourably with their counterparts in the world over in the performance of core Immigration duties.”
“To further consolidate on the gains we have made over the period, my administration on assumption of office had set out three (3) cardinal areas of focus. These are: The welfare and well-being of our personnel; Capacity building for prompt, effective and efficient service delivery in line with international best practice; Ensuring the safety of our vast borders,” he explained.
He said accordingly, in the bid to realize these objectives as highlighted, the NIS, “under my watch, has always put the welfare of its personnel on the front burner and has also placed high premium on training and retraining of officers and men as a panacea(for us) to remain abreast of the various security challenges currently facing our nation.
“Today’s event is another innovation which will further enhance our capacity to effectively deploy our personnel to critical areas of national assignment as may be required from time to time.
“Today, we are here to witness the Passing Out Parade of 61 officers, all female, who have undergone rigorous physical training on weapons Handling, Combat craft, Border security and Counter Terrorism technics in addition to other investigative and intelligence gathering training.
“As the popular saying goes ‘What a man can do, a woman can do much better’. As you have already seen today, these officers have indeed demonstrated their readiness and capacity to stand toe-to-toe with the male as they go out there to serve our fatherland. May I also inform you, ladies and gentlemen that the service presently has over 1000 personnel undergoing the Pre-basic training programme in Immigration Training School, Kano and the Customs Training School, Goron Dutse, Kano.”
He congratulated the Commandant, NITSA and his directing staff noting that, “the fact that you are the first to train these set of gallant officers, first of its kind in the NIS is no feat, you have done a tremendous job which is worthy of commendation, the management of NIS is indeed proud of your dedication and commitment to duty.”
He added, “to these gallant officers, you have passed through the mills and have come out refined. You must consider yourselves privileged to have been considered worthy of this important assignment; it is a clarion call and I congratulate you all.
“You have written in your names in the sands of time, the management of the NIS, having supported you throughout the period of this hectic exercise will provide all necessary assistance in terms of logistics and other materials that you will require in the course of your assignment.
“The task before you is indeed daunting, but I enjoin you to be focused and disciplined at all time because these are the precursors for success in the course of carrying out your duties. Once more, I congratulate you all for going through this period of training and enduring the difficulties associated with such training.
“As you Pass out of this noble institution today, you must be prepared and ready at all times because your services will be needed in the areas of General security, Border duties, Escort duties, Care for female detainees, Search at ports of entry and deployment for special operations with other sister agencies whenever the need arises. Therefore, the knowledge and training you have garnered in the course of this training) was carefully put together to enhance your capacity and prepare you for these tasks.”
The CGIG commended the management for the foresight and continuous drive to put the NIS in its rightful place in the quest to secure the country while also appreciating the efforts of the Course Coordinator and Service Provost Marshall and his team for ensuring the members success of this exercise.