…Hadiza Bala Usman: NPF wanting in its inability to take over communities reclaimed from bandits
By Seun Adams
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has outlined the Ministry’s significant accomplishments for the first three quarters of 2024, which are reflected in the Establishment of the National Criminal Data Fusion Center (NCDFC) for the Nigeria Police Force, strengthening of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS), and Automation of Police Specialized Services to enhance Nigeria’s security.
He made this known during the recent visit of the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Policy Coordination and Head, Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Ms. Hadiza 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.
Meanwhile Usman, in a remark expressed reservation that one key issue that the Ministry needs to address is its inability of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to take over communities reclaimed by the Military from bandits or insurgents, insufficient support from local communities, and widespread distrust of the police by citizens.
The Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations), at the Ministry, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, in a statement, quoted the Minister as reiterating that other several initiatives embarked on were the ongoing Police Reform and Transformation Roadmap; Enhancing Infrastructure Development; Boosting the Technical and 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.
Gaidam, said: “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.
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;
Hadiza Usman, in a remark stated that the Ministry of Police Affairs (MoPA) recorded significant progress in its performance in Q2 but retrogressed in Q3.
In her words, “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, one key issue that the Ministry needs to address is the inability of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to take over communities reclaimed by the Military from bandits or insurgents, insufficient support from local communities, and widespread distrust of the police by citizens.
