The police high command has deployed anti-terrorist squads in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano
Although police sources told our correspondents on Tuesday that the action was aimed at checking violent crimes in the cities, a top security source in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, claimed that the decision was informed by an alleged threat by a terrorist group, Al-Qaeda, to bomb some parts of Nigeria.
The alleged threat by Al-Qaeda was credited on Friday to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro. But Okiro refuted the report by the media on Sunday.
Investigation by our correspondent in Lagos on Tuesday, however, showed that the anti-terrorist squad sent to Lagos was currently operating from the MOPOL 20 and 22, Oduduwa Street, GRA, Ikeja.
A source said that finishing touches were being put to the squad�s permanent site in Akodo, a suburb of Lagos.
The 80-man squad is said to be commanded by Mr. Johnpaul Echatah, a Superintendent of Police, who hails from one of the Niger Delta states.
It was also gathered that the commander had undergone a series of training, including detection of weapons of mass destruction in the United States.
The commander is being assisted by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who is also said to have experience in counter-terrorism.
Our source also disclosed that the Lagos State Police command had already attached two newly procured modern Armoured Personnel Carriers to the squad to enable it perform effectively.
The Spokesman for the command, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the presence of the squad in Lagos.
Mba said, �The squad was sent to Lagos by the IG. I think it is more of a pro-active strategy that the current police administration is adopting to fight crime.
�Globalisation has made it imperative for us to think and act ahead. We are aware that some forms of crime are being exported. Before now, there was communication barrier, but today, it is easy to get anybody from any part of the world.
�Training is still going on because more squads will still be deployed. Even in Lagos, men of the special squad are undergoing training and it is going to be an all-encompassing security force.�
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Bala Hassan, also confirmed the presence of an anti-terrorism team in Port Harcourt.
Hassan told newsmen that some members of the squad would soon embark on further training to hone their skills.
He added that Okiro had approved the establishment of a new Mobile Police Squadron in Ahoada to contain the rising crime level in Rivers State.
The unit will be known as Squadron 48.
Hassan added that riot policemen had been drafted from neighbouring states to beef up security in Rivers State.
He said the deployment of the additional officers was responsible for the increased presence of policemen in many parts of Port Harcourt.
The police chief said, �We are aware that a new squadron has been created in Ahoada. The idea is to ensure that there are many mobile police squadrons in states that need them. We now have 54 squadrons throughout the country.
�The anti-terrorist squads have been posted to Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja. And very soon, they will be going outside the country for one month training.
�By the time they are through, things will improve for us and they will also be sent to infantry training centre for special weapons training to ensure that they are sufficiently equipped and motivated to tackle the challenges of the Niger Delta.
�With the new squadron in Ahoada, we are adding to the strength of the men we have here to control crimes in the communities.�
Hassan warned that persons who drive cars with tinted glasses without authorisation would be arrested and prosecuted for breaching the law.
He also announced a ban on the use of siren by unauthorised persons and threatened that those caught would face trial.
The police boss also confirmed the arrest of persons suspected to have kidnapped and raped three girls from Ikpokiri on Monday.
Hassan appealed to the residents of the state to use the following new lines � 08073777787, 08073777717, and 08073777757 � when in distress.
Meanwhile, an Islamic group, Movement for Islamic Rights and Justice, has asked President Musa Yar� Adua to sack Okiro for allegedly raising �dangerous alarm� over an alleged threat by Al-Qaeda to attack Nigeria.
In a statement on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Mr. Adeniyi Adams and National Secretary, Mr. Maruf �Dairo, the group said it was �shocked on such fictitious and unwanted venom and vituperation coming from the mouth of somebody in sensitive position of an IG to be concocting a bomb shell attack from Al-Qaeda where there is none.�