The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has highlighted transformative strides made by the ministry in bolstering Nigeria’s security infrastructure during the first three quarters of 2024. Central to these achievements is the establishment of the National Criminal Data Fusion Center (NCDFC), a cutting-edge hub designed to streamline intelligence gathering and analysis for the Nigeria Police Force.
Additionally, the ministry has fortified the West African Police Information System (WAPIS), enhancing regional collaboration and cross-border crime prevention. In a move to modernize operations, specialized police services have been automated, ensuring faster, more efficient responses to security challenges. These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to leveraging technology and regional partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework
He made these remarks, according to a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), during the recent visit of the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Policy Coordination and Head, Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman, who presented the Ministry’s performance scorecard in delivering on assigned mandates in the last three (3) Quarters of 2024 at the Ministry’s headquarters.
The Minister said that other several initiatives embarked on were the ongoing Police Reform and Transformation Roadmap; Enhancing Infrastructure Development; Boosting the Technical & Operational Efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force; Enhancing Welfare within the Force and Establishing a Robust Policy framework for policing in Nigeria and prioritizing the Wellness of the Police as well as strengthening Community Policing and Building Public Trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
L-R: S.A. to the President on Policy Coordination and Head, Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman and Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, during the presentation of the Ministry’s performance scorecard at the Headquarters of the Ministry
“Ministry has been tasked with achieving 16 specific deliverables aligned with the Presidential Priorities. These priorities reflect our commitment to improving policing and internal security in Nigeria. Notable among them are: Enhancing police operations through digital technologies such as tracking systems, (RMS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), etc; Establishing Air Squadron bases equipped with surveillance drones, attack drones, and helicopters in six geopolitical zones; Reviewing and enhancing existing policies; Reviewing the operational policies for community policing and re-training of police officers on global best practice on crime prevention, and use of modern equipment.”
He pointed out that they have recorded significant strides in the launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS); Enhanced deployment of tactical squads; Flag off of the Construction of Smart Modern Divisional Police Headquarters and Six Rank and File Quarters and Infrastructure Revamp at the Police Academy as well as recruitment of 30,000 Police Constables into the Nigeria Police Force in 2024.
L-R: S.A. to the President on Policy Coordination and Head, Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman, Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam and Acting Permanent Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar Argungu
during the presentation of the Ministry’s performance scorecard at the Headquarters of the Ministry
Gaidam opined that 2,593 officers were carefully selected from various Police Commands to attend specialized training programmes in recognized institutions within and outside Nigeria, adding that the police ecosystem launched the Nigeria Police Veterans Foundation to assist retired police officers.
According to him, Introduction of the annual Nigeria Police Award and Commendations ceremony to encourage NPF officers and personnel to maintain the highest levels of professionalism and service and commencement of upgrading and modernizing the curriculum in all Police Training institutions nationwide to ensure relevance, effectiveness, and adherence to best practices;
Earlier, the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Policy Coordination & Head, Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman stated that the Ministry of Police Affairs (MoPA) recorded significant progress in its performance in Q2 but retrogressed in Q3.
“It also recorded some key achievements such as breaking the deadlock that has prevented the implementation of the Presidential directive to recruit police officers and the number of CRU complaints resolved, where it scored 100%,” she said.
The Minister of Police Affairs acknowledged a pressing challenge facing the Nigeria Police Force: the struggle to secure and stabilize communities reclaimed from bandits and insurgents by the military. She emphasized that this issue is compounded by insufficient support from local communities and a pervasive distrust of the police among citizens. Addressing these concerns, she noted, is critical to ensuring lasting peace and fostering stronger ties between the police and the public in the fight against insecurity.
