By Kayode Biodun
More than 100 commuters perished along the Maiduguri Damaturu route before the formation of the rapid response squad (RRS) in Borno State.
Some were killed on the spot while on their journeys but hundreds were wheeled into the savanna by dare devil insurgents who slaughtered them like cattle when they resisted certain crazy directives.
Those killed by insurgents on the Damaturu Maiduguri road alone became so alarming that Governor Babagana Zulum had to step in with the formation of (RRS) five years ago to ameliorate the situation.
These were the words of the Commander of the RRS squad Abioye Babalola in a recent chat with this reporter during an operational visit of the Commissioner of Police Abdulmajid Naziru to their base.
Before now, he noted, there was no free movement by commuters but the coming of RRS has eased that wickedness by the insurgents on the road.
” RRS has become a single strike unit of the State government and it has been serving the state diligently without any fear.
“The CP is passionate about the squad which is why he came to see things for himself and know where we have challenges and where he can make his input.
” For instance about twelve officers do not have office accommodation to work effectively and many more of these similar challenges which the CP intends to handle for the squad” he posited.
The RRS squad established Jan 10, 2010 is made up of the Nigerian police in charge of internal security and all the paramilitary agencies in the state including the civilian joint task force (JTF) known to have been fighting along side troops in the last fifteen years.
The visit revealed that the Borno state Police command has been able to arrest 1,541 suspects for various forms of infractions against the laws of the land.
This massive haul of arrests which occurred especially during the period of the arrival of the new CP includes 32 dismissed military personnel alleged to have been involved in various forms of criminal activities in the state.
The RRS commander revealed that 1,164 suspect were convicted, 247 released, 1,197 charged to court with 64 still under detention and awaiting trial.
Commander Babalola said that the squad also recovered exhibits from the suspects which include dangerous weapons, military uniforms. illegal drugs worth N27.1m and many more.
Meanwhile, the Borno Commissioner of Police Abdulmajid Naziru has commended the squad for their efforts in fighting all manner of criminality and charged them to be professional in all their duties.
RRS now has extra patrol routes between Mafa and Maiduguri apart from Maiduguri Gubio to Mongonu where they are stationed at Mogumeri along the way.
