Nigeria to deploy 3,000 policemen to restive northeast

The Nigerian government has concluded arrangement to deploy some 3,000 policemen to the restive northeast region, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

Olabisi Kolawole, the national police spokesperson, who disclosed this in a statement made available to Xinhua, said the police authority has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Operations, Sotonye Wakama, to lead a team of intelligence officers to the northeast on needs assessment.

The step was preparatory to the deployment of 3,000 policemen to liberated areas in the zone and restoration of civil authority, she said.

Nigeria's Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase had informed that the deployment was aimed at relieving the military of some duties.

Arase said the safety of persons and property remained the cardinal values in re-establishing a working society after violent conflicts.

He said the police would deploy more personnel and equipment to the zone to provide security and create a secure environment for internally displaced persons to return to their communities.

Arase said crime prevention was top operational priority of the police that would involve communities for service delivery.

He called on all stakeholders, especially the media, to cooperate with the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the restoration of civil authority and successful reintegration of the people.

Until recently, the increase in the activities of Boko Haram, continues to generate dire humanitarian consequences to the northeast region, the Nigerian society and neighboring nations at large. Endit