National Security: The Impact of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in IGP Egbetokun’s Policing Vision

National Security: The Impact of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in IGP Egbetokun’s Policing Vision

The strength of a nation's security architecture is often directly tied to its overall development. Scholars argue that security encompasses more than the absence of war, extending to the well-being of citizens. This aligns with the "New Security Agenda," which includes components such as human security, environmental security, economic security, and political security — all interconnected to ensure stability.

Nigeria, as a key player in Africa, has long been a central figure in regional security. However, in recent years, the country has faced various security challenges, from terrorism and banditry to kidnapping. The responsibility of countering these threats largely falls on institutions such as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). A competent, service-driven, and accountable police force is critical to ensuring national development.

In response to these challenges, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, launched a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing security across the country: the **Special Intervention Squad (SIS)**. This squad was created to bolster existing security structures and provide a swift, effective response to criminal activities such as banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

The SIS was first deployed to Jos, Plateau State, in December 2023, following a deadly bandit attack on Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas. The attack, which occurred on Christmas Eve, claimed over 200 lives and left properties destroyed. The SIS moved swiftly, arresting several suspects involved in the attack, and restoring calm to the area. The IGP reinforced these efforts by dispatching an Assistant Inspector-General of Police to Plateau State to oversee the squad's operations and ensure a lasting return to peace.

Building on this success, the IGP extended the squad’s operations to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in January 2024. Under the supervision of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ede Ayuba Ekpeji, the squad began tackling the influx of armed criminals into the FCT, particularly in border communities. Operations were conducted in hotspots like Bwari, Kawu, and the Nigerian Law School area, and extended into parts of Niger and Kaduna States, known for criminal activity.

One of the SIS's key successes came on 18th January 2024, when the squad rescued a kidnapping victim during a covert operation. The victim, Segun Akinyemi, was rescued from his captors, and one of the kidnappers was apprehended. The operation also led to the recovery of weapons, including pistols and live ammunition.

In collaboration with other law enforcement units, including the Force Intelligence Department and the Nigerian Army, the SIS has continued to make progress. A notable achievement was the rescue of victims abducted from the Zuma 1 area in Bwari, FCT. These victims were found in the Kajuru Forest in Kaduna State after a well-coordinated rescue mission. Similarly, multiple kidnappings in and around the FCT have been foiled, with victims safely returned to their families.

The SIS’s reach extends beyond kidnapping. The squad played a pivotal role in neutralizing Eastern Security Network (ESN) terrorists in Imo State, recovering arms in Plateau State, and ensuring the security of elections in Edo State. These efforts underline the squad's effectiveness and the crucial role it plays in the IGP's broader vision for national security.

Egbetokun’s creation of the SIS reflects Nigeria's commitment to the **New Security Agenda**, which demands an integrated, intelligence-driven approach to tackling insecurity. The IGP’s vision is clear: to reposition the Nigeria Police Force as the primary agency responsible for internal security, capable of adapting to evolving threats and ensuring the safety of all Nigerians.

As Nigeria continues to confront complex security challenges, the establishment of the SIS represents a bold step forward. Its successes in Plateau, the FCT, and beyond demonstrate the squad’s effectiveness in the fight against crime. However, the road ahead requires sustained efforts, collaboration, and unwavering resolve. The fight against insecurity is a collective responsibility, and the SIS’s impact shows that with determination, Nigeria can achieve a safer and more prosperous future.

**Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi** is a Public Relations Practitioner, Security Expert, and member of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice.  

Email: princemoye@gmail.com