Meet the Nigeria Police Spear Team. The tactical unit trained and equiped to protect western diplomats.

Diplomats represent their countries abroad. Not only do they enjoy diplomatic immunity, they are also the most protected. The U.S Embassy in Nigeria for example is American territory, not Nigerian territory. Attacks on diplomatic missions is an attack on the country in itself.

Nigeria has the responsibility under international law to protect visiting foreign dignitaries and resident foreign diplomats in this country, at all cost. Same way there is an equally serious obligation to protect Nigerian missions in the United States.

n a dynamic and volatile high threat environment like Nigeria, the SPEAR team provide the U.S. Consulate with an effective, flexible force with unique capabilities instrumental in keeping consulate personnel and their families safe over air land and water.

They have 24 hours access to direct emergency services from the National Police Command and Control Centre, that is said to be the best in West Africa.

The SPEAR unit assigned to protect U.S. diplomats and facilities includes a maritime component. U.S Diplomats do not travel by road. The SPEAR teams fleet of patrol boats and catamarans provide the most effective urban transportation for U.S Diplomats to perform their duties.

They allows for safe mission critical travel between U.S. government properties and the consulate to maintain site security and sensitive communications. During the EndSars Protests in 2020, the SPEAR Team provided continuous security to U.S. diplomatic sites and personnel.
They are trained by U.S Special Forces Units. The SPEAR Unit itself is funded by Washington to local security elements better respond to emergencies at U.S. diplomatic facilities.

Credit: DefenseNewsNigeria