Police To Spend N2.8bn To Fight Terrorism In 2013

In the face of rising terrorism in the country, the Nigeria Police Force is to spend N2,798, 030, 985 billion to fund logistics, intelligence gathering and purchase of anti-terror equipment to combat terror attacks rife in select parts of the country in 2013, LEADERSHIP reports.
The 2013 budget capital expenditure details presented by the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs to the supervisory House of Representatives Committee proposed a total policing budget of N341, 674, 034, 731 billion for 2013.
In a presentation to the House Committee on Police Affairs, the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt Caleb Olubode (rtd) stated that the ministry’s 2013 budget principally focused on completion of ongoing projects; complementing the funding of the operations of the police to facilitate a more efficient service delivery.
Also, Olubode said the Police 2013 budget would target “training in areas of emerging security challenges (particularly terrorism), necessitating the need to develop the capability of the force to respond appropriately.”
Chairman House Committee on Police Affairs, Usman Bello Kumo (Gombe/PDP) said no cost was too much to end terror attacks Nigeria grapples with.
Kumo said: “With what is happening now, we are left with no option than to give the police the much needed support to fight terrorism. They need more funding to enable them purchase sophisticated and latest equipment to enable them protect lives and property of Nigerians and their offices and formations. Terrorism cannot be tackled with archaic and old method of crime fighting.”
In a breakdown of the budget proposals, N708, 000, 000 billion was earmarked for intelligence gathering. Also the police are to purchase three armoured Toyota Landcruizer vehicle (N90,000,000) and three armoured Toyota Hilux (N75,000,000) for GSM tracking (intelligence).
For patrol vehicles (pick-ups, patrol jeeps, patrol cars, canine vans) installed with communication equipment and configured to police specification, N310,100,000 has been earmarked.
Procurement of arms and ammunition (N425,250,000), personnel protective gears-bullet proof and ballistic helmets-(455,266,195), Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) equipment for the Anti-Bomb Squad (N250,500,000), security intelligence equipment-security/criminal intelligence (220,500,000), upgrade of GSM tracking system (N157,000,000), digital communication equipment for police formations and commands (N280,000,000).
To purchase mounted troop accessories and feeding cost (N50,450,300), marine/workshop equipment and personnel protective gears (N137, 404,490).
The Nigeria Police is to spend N90, 000, 000 for the establishment of Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) units in 10 states (Abia, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara). Counter-Terrorist squad equipment will be procured at N256,560,000.