By Edith Tsokar
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, says education, research and technology remains critical to building a modern, professional and intelligence-driven police force capable of addressing emerging security challenges in Nigeria.
Disu stated this during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, in Abuja.
The IGP called for sustained support toward the expansion and modernisation of police educational institutions, noting that many complaints against the police were linked to gaps in education and professional development.
“We realise that we cannot do our jobs without education. If you notice any lapses in what the police do, most complaints against the police boil down to education,” he said.
According to him, policing has evolved beyond traditional approaches, requiring specialists in forensics, criminology, cyber security and data analytics to support research-driven policing.
He said the Nigerian Police Force was repositioning its training institutions to align with global standards, adding that the proposed police university in Ogun State would mark a major milestone in the force’s reform agenda.
“Policing has gone beyond stereotypes. We want to be scientific. We need specialists and research-driven policing supported by advanced technology.
“The future of effective policing lies in education, innovation, professionalism and strategic partnership,” the police chief said.
Disu disclosed that officers of the force had received training in artificial intelligence, drone operations and crime analytics, noting that predictive policing techniques were increasingly being deployed to anticipate criminal activities.
“We are doing analytics in policing. We can predict crimes happening. Data and research help us to understand trends and prevent crimes,” he said.
The IGP appealed to TETFund for continued intervention in academic infrastructure, ICT facilities, laboratories, research centres and staff development programmes for police institutions.
Responding, Echono assured the police leadership of TETFund’s continued support, describing Disu as a highly professional officer whose reputation for excellence preceded his appointment.
“TETFund has had a long history of collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force, and we will continue to strengthen that partnership,” he said.
Echono disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Ogun State, with funds already released for its take-off.
“We have made funds available for the take-off facilities, and our team will begin joint inspection and evaluation with the police immediately,” he said.
He urged the police leadership to ensure the Ogun campus attaine full university status within a few years to enable it access direct annual intervention funding from TETFund.
“The moment the institution becomes a full-fledged university, it will begin to enjoy sustainable annual funding like other beneficiary institutions,” Echono added.
He also pledged support for specialised training programmes for police officers in technology, cyber security and advanced investigations, stressing that modern crime had become increasingly sophisticated and technology-driven.
“The only way to keep pace with evolving crime is through continuous training, specialisation and innovation,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
