Nigerian Police deploy sniffer dogs to int’l airports

THE Inspector General of Police, Mohammed
Abubakar, has ordered immediate deployment
of sniffer dogs to all international airports in
the country.  The order came against the
back-drop of threats by criminal elements to
shift their nefarious activities to the nation’s
airports. A source gathered that the sniffer
dogs would be test run in certain functions,
preparatory to their deployments for the
2015 general elections, while their
deployments would further reduce possibility
of arms smuggling through the airports.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the
deployments which took place, yesterday, at
the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,
Abuja, Abubakar explained that the sniffer
dogs would, among other things, be used for
detecting explosives, rescue operations,
perimeter patrols, patrol of car-parks and
apprehension of offenders resisting arrest or
attempting to evade it. While charging the
dog handlers to be vigilant, Abubakar, who
was represented by the DIG in charge of
operations, Zuokumor Michael, advised them
to respect the fundamental rights of the
citizens and also work in collaboration with
other security agencies to provide effective
security at the airports.
He called for the cooperation of the general
public, assuring them that his administration
would do everything necessary to provide
them with optimum security. Meanwhile, the
deployment in Abuja, which is the first phase
of the deployment of the sniffer dogs, was
simultaneously done at the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport Terminal I
and II, Lagos and Port-Harcourt International
Airport, Omagwa. Others are Mallam Aminu
Kano International Airport, Kano, Jos Airport
as well as Akanu Ibiam International Airport,
Enugu.