Police Special Protection Unit to guard banks – IG

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, has said policemen from the Special Protection Unit of the police will henceforth be deployed to provide security in banks.
Abubakar, who announced this in Abuja on Tuesday at a meeting with the Committee of Heads of Banks Security, added that the SPU would take over from the mobile police.
“Sometimes, what you want is mobile police. Most banks are saying give us mobile police. Mobile police are essentially for anti-riot purpose.
“We are going to look at the possibility of using men from our SPU, who have the same training with the mobile police, if not better,’’ he said.
Abubakar said the security of banks and their personnel was important in view of the prevailing security challenge in the country.
He said because of the frequent attacks on banks, there was a need to consider the security of the environment before setting up branches.
He noted that some were established in markets and areas where there were no security measures.
Abubakar advised the banks against employing old men as security guards as they were not capable of doing the job.
The police boss commended banks for donating some operational equipment to the police, urging them to do more.
Chairman of the Committee of Head of Banks Security, Mr. Clement Ebere, said the banks were ready to partner with the police for their protection and smooth operations.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that representatives of some 20 banks were present at the meeting.

PUNCH NEWSPAPER