President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to give one helicopter to each state of the federation to enable them to tackle insecurity, especially armed robbery, insurgency and kidnapping.

He said the reason his government was investing in air power for the Nigeria police, was to ensure it became a thing of the past, a scenario where armed robbers took over a state and operated for hours without any challenge from the police.

The President made the charge at the ceremonial parade marking the 2013 police week celebrations at the Eagle Square, Abuja.  Jonathan who rewarded 17 deserving police officers including two post-humus ones for their gallant, courageous and meritorious service to their fatherland, admitted that this indeed was trying moments for the country resulting in the death of many police officers.

He noted further that it was only when the police were provided with the required tools would they be effective in service delivery, assuring that his government would not disappoint in this regard.

President Jonathan who charged the police to respect and protect the rights of the ordinary citizens while doing their jobs.  Hence, he expected maximum discipline from officers and men of the Nigeria Police henceforth.

Jonathan led a minute silence in honour of the dead police officers and condoled with their families, assuring them of government’s continued support.  The president commissioned for the Polices Force 275 Toyota Hilux vehicles, 10 Armoured Personnel Caries (APC) and seven helicopters among other equipment.  He regretted the past habit where equipment were not maintained, charging that all the new equipment must be maintained for optimum performance.

In his remarks, Minister of Police Affairs,

, said the commissioning marked another first in the transformation agenda of Jonathan’s administration.

The government he stressed, was resolved in engendering community involvement to fight insecurity, urging the public to be more proactive and provide information to the police and other security agencies in their efforts to tackle the problem of the nation.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, in his remarks noted that for about 37 years, the police service week hitherto used as a veritable tool and opportunity to strengthen the bond between the police and public was on hold, the gap between the public and police kept widening, resulting in mistrust.

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