The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has assured commuters patronizing the Nigeria Railway Corporation of maximum security at all times with the deployment of Police Dogs to railway stations across the country.
Speaking at the official deployment ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Adamu said men of the K-9 Squad had been properly trained to specifically, checkmate the activities of illicit drug dealers and other criminals exploring the option of rail transportation.
He explained that the initiative is within the context of ‘Operation Puff Adder’ and is expected to complement the existing security measures across the country.
Operation Puff Adder is planned to complement the existing security measures emplaced for the security and safety of passengers and critical infrastructure of the Nigeria Railway Corporation across the country.
The deployment of special breed and exceptionally-trained police dogs for security duties is as old as human civilization to combat crimes and sundry internal security threats in the 21st century.
Indeed, K9 are known to possess extra-ordinary capacity for detection of Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs), narcotics and other illicit drugs, firearms and other prohibited items, which criminals usually engage for the perfection of their criminal activities.
The deployment of police dogs was meant for detection or prevention crimes along the railway corridors.
“Their brief shall be for patrols, surveillance, detection and apprehension of felons in and around railway facilities.
“Indeed, it is on record that the Nigeria Police Force Animal Branch has been instrumental to the training and development of similar branches for other security agencies in the country,’’ he added.
MM/GIK/APA