Mr. Abba thanked the US for supporting the Nigerian police.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, said on Tuesday that the police had got approval to recruit more personnel into the force.

Mr. Abba, who made this known when he received the United Arab Emirate Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohmud Mohammed, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, said the recruitment would begin soon.

He said that some equipment bought by the Federal Government to enhance the capacity of the police in fighting crimes would soon be handed over to the force.

Mr. Abba also received Francis Bray, Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria. He commended the U.S. and said he was mindful of the existing relationship between the force and it.

He said the relationship had been of immense benefit, particularly to the Nigeria Police in terms of training of personnel on counter-terrorism, investigation, and leadership.

“I am aware that there are a number of training programmes sponsored by the U.S. for the Nigeria Police which helps to improve the capacity of our personnel.

“A good example of that of course is the training conducted by the U.S. West Regional Centre in Accra, Ghana.

“I am also aware that just in the next few weeks, a number of police officers from Nigeria will be benefiting from those courses,” Mr. Abba said.

He said the equipment donated to the force by the U.S. had helped it record initial breakthrough in the investigation of the bomb blast which rocked the EMAB plaza in Abuja on June 25.

The police chief called for the sustenance of the relationship between the police and the U.S.

Earlier, Mr. Bray described the relationship between the force and his country as “historic’’ and urged that it should be sustained.

“We have always been able to depend on you, and hopefully, you should be able to depend on us, we look forward to continuing the good relationship.

“This should include anti-terrorism assistance training and investigation. We are always here if you need us,” Mr. Bray said.

(NAN)