The Nigeria Police on Wednesday inaugurated Police Mobile Force 72 Squadron at Ago-Are in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo state.
Mr Abubakar Adamu, Inspector General of Police (IGP) said at the event that the squadron was the first to start operation with full support of Gov. Seyi Makinde.
”The squadron is one of the 16 newly created squadrons,” Adamu said.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Abdulmojid Ali, said the 16 squadrons were in addition to the existing 68 in the country.
He said that Squadron 72 was set up at the request of Makinde who saw the need to beef up security within his domain.
He thanked the governor and the host community, Ago-Are, for the support given to the police.
The IGP gave assurance that the squadron would be a thing of joy and not regret to the community.
“We have talked to our officers to be civil, show professionalism, be disciplined and more friendly with host community
“I want to assure you that we will not compromise discipline and professionalism.
”We know why we are here and will continue to be committed to providing adequate security,” he said.
In his remark, Makinde said the request for establishment of the squadron was made on Aug. 19, 2019, three months after his inauguration as the governor.
According to him, his administration attached importance to provision of adequate security.
He stressed that the safety and security of lives and property in Oyo state was top priority of his government.
The governor further said that the state was vast in population and land mass and to cover it required personnel, logistics and agile PMF Squadron 72.
He said that the location of the squadron was based on the technical evaluation carried out.
Makinde appreciated the Ago-Are community for the donation of one kilometer square land to be used as permanent location of the squadron 72.
He said the state government would ensure that the location was speedly developed, stressing that the welfare of the squadron was important.
He urged officers of the squadron to sustain good rapport that had been created with host community and called on the officers to be efficient in discharge of their duties.
Also, the traditional ruler of Ago-Are, Oba Abodunrin Kofoworola, commended the police and the government for locating the squadron within the community and priority given to provision of adequate security.
Kofoworola added that the establishment of the squadron would end insecurity in the area and pave way for development in Ago-Are and Oke Ogun area of the state.
He promised that his subjects would give maximum cooperation to the success of the officers of the squadron.
