The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has reiterated the need for the Nigeria Police to collectively address the issue of response time to distress calls by Nigerians to enable citizens to enjoy the safer environment in the country.
A press statement by the Deputy Director, Press, Bolaji O. Kazeem,
Thursday in Abuja, said the minister made this known during the official briefing by the Ag. Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said Gaidem noted that this could be achieved through the effective use of technology, inter-agency collaboration, the building of mutual trust, and proper management of information.
“By working together, we can enhance national security and create a safer environment for all Gaidam stressed.
“To enhance our response capabilities, Gaidam said, we need to establish a standby force of at least three units of the Police Mobile Force in each state command. This will ensure a rapid and effective response to unforeseen incidents.
“Community engagement and trust building should be emphasized as well. The police force must actively involve the communities they serve, fostering a sense of cooperation and partnership.
“By enhancing coordination between Federal, State, and local law enforcement, we can create a unified front against crime and ensure a more effective response,” the minister added.
According to Gaidam, to tackle the diverse range of criminal activities, they need to establish specialised units that can address each type of crime.
“This will require comprehensive training and capacity building programs for our officers and investing in technology for surveillance and crime prevention will greatly enhance our capabilities in maintaining law and order.
“Effective intelligence gathering mechanisms are critical for proactive crime prevention. We must establish robust systems to gather and analyze intelligence, enabling us to stay one step ahead of criminals. Strengthening cooperation between the police and the judiciary is also essential to ensure the smooth administration of justice,” Gaidam stressed.
He pointed out that, several specific areas of concern require their immediate attention noting that they must establish a clear mission and vision for the police force, aligning our goals with the aspirations of the Nigerian people.
“We must also focus on strengthening police leadership and accountability, as these traits are vital for the efficient functioning of any law enforcement agency,” the minister noted.
Gaidam emphasizes the need to establish mechanisms for monitoring police conduct to maintain high standards of professionalism and ethics through the use of body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras in operation vehicles adding that it will ensure that the rights and dignity of every citizen are respected at all times.
“We will not tolerate indiscipline within the police force, and discipline must be observed by all officers, regardless of rank or cadre. This platform serves as a crucial opportunity for fruitful discussions and the exchange of perspectives on formulating a robust working plan for the Nigeria Police.
“As someone who has served as a Governor and Chief Security Officer of one of the most embattled states affected by Boko Haram for over a decade, I understand the urgent need for police reform by global best practices in policing to ensure public safety,” he added.
On her part, the Minister of State, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stated that the presentation of the IGP was holistic and forward-looking which would be very helpful as the Ministry crafts a way forward towards achieving renewed hope policing agenda of Mr. President which is very ambitious.
“On community policing, she pointed out that it aligns with the thought of the Ministers which is critical and everyone must key in with it to enable increased confidence of the citizens in policing as we are working for them, which requires a lot of reforms and cooperation of the stakeholders.
“Intelligence-driven policing is not negotiable and the police force must be seen as a technology-driven organisation this requires ambitious investment to implement,” Imaan stressed.
In his presentation, the ag IGP congratulated the ministers on their appointment, noting that the Nigeria Police Force has confidence that the days ahead would be very good for Nigerians.
Meanwhile, a press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that during the visit, the IGP who was accompanied by the members of the Force Management Team, had fruitful discussion with the ministers.
He said they addressed critical issues such as the state of national security, ongoing police reforms, and strategies to enhance collaboration between the NPF and the Ministry of Police Affairs.
He said the IGP emphasized that the visit highlights the undeniable need for collaborative efforts for improved security architecture in the nation.
“He reiterated the importance of creating an enabling environment for officers and urged all stakeholders to support the ongoing reform efforts of the current administration,” Adejobi added.
