By Mohammed Mohammed
The Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), on Thursday donated 200 Buffalo branded operational vehicles, bulletproof vests, protective helmets, drugs, and medical equipment to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to assist in pushing back the insecurity across the country.
The operational vehicles and other security hardware were handed over to the Inspector General of Police (IG) by the representative of President Muhammad Buhari, the Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House Abuja.
The presentation of over 200 Buffalo, branded operational vehicles and other security hardware procured by the present administration through the NPTF, as contained in its 2020 Budget as part of the ongoing reformation of the Nigeria Police Force, by prioritizing the provision of modern infrastructure to aid policing in Nigeria.
Buhari congratulated the Board of Trustee, Management and Staff of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for meticulously and meritoriously completing the execution of the projects, marking the commencement of commissioning of numerous interventions, through equipping, training, and modernization of policing infrastructure, in line with this administrations’ mandates to deepen security and safety nationwide.
He said: “In this connection, let me also applaud the initiative to select this brand of Buffalo Trucks which are adjudged rugged and capable of withstanding varied geographical terrains and atmospheric conditions. The establishment of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund is very timely and apt, as it came at a time when Government is determined more than ever before to holistically address the various security challenges confronting our great Country Nigeria.”
He posited that his administration is adequately poised to give all that is necessary to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund to enable it to meet its mandate and attain the expectations of the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerians in general.
Buhari, added that achieving the overall objectives of the Trust Fund should be internalized as the collective aspiration of all Nigerians in order to bridge the funding gap in policing by providing the NPF with required operational tools, equipment, training, and re-training of personnel as well as the motivation of officers and men through improved welfare.
He urged the Police to continue putting in their best in the discharge of duties and to adopt a holistic internal security mechanism in the country so as to ensure the provision of a conducive environment, needed to boost operations of the Nigeria Police Force and by extension, emplace a more peaceful and safe country for the economic buoyancy, and improved livelihood for the citizenry.