....harps on stable internal security as strategy to foster Nigeria's economic growth
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated the need for synergy and cooperation among security agencies to deal a final blow to what is left of terror attacks, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the country.
To this effect, he restated his administration's readiness to improve the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and position the force to attain its inherent mandate as the frontline agency in internal security.
President Tinubu gave the charge on Monday in Abeokuta when he officially declared open the fifth annual Strategic Security Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers held H3 event center, Oke-Mosan, Ogun State capital.
The President who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, implored the conferees to hinge a significant portion of their discussions on strategies for multi-agency collaboration.
"During my visit to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja, I stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling security challenges.
"Synergy among all security agencies is vital to eliminating banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality. Please dedicate a significant portion of your deliberations to advancing strategies for multi-agency collaboration," he stated.
The timing of the retreat, according to the Nigerian leader, is crucial in advancing his administration's goals, just as the theme of the conference, "Improving Nigeria's Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing," aligns seamlessly with the core objectives of the administration.
He however observed that while one of the administration's objectives is to take advantage of the nation's human and natural resources to foster economic growth, the vision cannot be attained until the county's internal security becomes stable.
"We are committed to fostering economic growth by leveraging the vast potential of our human and natural resources. However, this vision is unattainable without a stable internal security landscape and strong stakeholder collaboration," the President noted.
President Tinubu pointed out that since it came on board in 2023, his administration had "embarked on bold and decisive reforms to address the deep-rooted challenges stemming from years of mismanagement and neglect".
He listed the impact of some of the reforms in various sectors including internal security, food security, unemployment, inflation, and infrastructure, acknowledging that they may have been quite challenging at the onset.
Noting that the reforms are vital to realigning Nigeria with the vision of its founding fathers, the President said, "We have introduced reforms to restore investor confidence, stabilise the macroeconomic environment, and reduce inflation.
"We are also taking firm measures to instil fiscal discipline, stabilise the foreign exchange market, and eliminate financial leakages by removing fuel and electricity subsidies. These efforts free up critical budgetary resources, enabling us to address long-standing infrastructure deficits.
"We are investing in roads, railways, and energy projects through public-private partnerships, which will lower transportation costs, expand market access, boost productivity, and create much-needed jobs."
Mindful of the fundamentals of creating an environment where businesses and investments flourish, President Tinubu said his administration has opted for strengthening the nation's security agencies and their operational capabilities as a priority by equipping them enough "to confront emerging threats and effectively combat crime."
The President reaffirmed his administration's resolve to enhance "the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police Force, ensuring it is more effective and well-positioned to fulfil its constitutional mandate as the lead agency in internal security."
He outlined efforts by the government to achieve this, including recruiting and retaining a competent workforce while fostering a positive and supportive work environment, bridging existing security infrastructure and equipment gaps "through a comprehensive and sustainable programme that includes renovating police barracks, improving mobility, and upgrading essential combat and protective gear.
"Implementing the new minimum wage is among the many steps we have taken to enhance the welfare of Nigerian workers, including police personnel. We will continue collaborating with the police leadership to provide financial incentives to motivate officers and all security personnel to perform at their highest levels.
"While no remuneration can truly compensate for the sacrifices made by our security forces, we remain committed to supporting them in their crucial role of keeping Nigeria safe and united," he added.
Acknowledging that security is a shared responsibility, President Tinubu charged communities and the citizens to "actively collaborate with the police to foster a safer society.
"No matter how well-funded, well-equipped, or well-trained a police force is, it can not succeed without the cooperation of the people it serves. Public engagement and trust are central to the success of inclusive policing," he maintained.
Earlier, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State applauded President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their visionary leadership, saying their unwavering commitment to peace and national prosperity has continued to serve as an inspiration to him and his colleagues.
He observed that security underscores the ideal society where citizens feel saved, valued and protected, stressing that security and development are intertwined.
He highlighted the contributions of Ogun State to efficient policing including securing more police vehicles, and motorcycles and collaborating with the French government to Secure high-tech drones, among others.
In his welcome remarks, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, described the annual Police conference as “a critical platform for assessing the administrative and operational strategies of the Nigeria Police Force, extensive insight and realigning policy objectives with evolving global security landscape.”
He stated that in the past two years, the conference has offered valuable insight that has served contemporary policing in Nigeria, promoting innovation, collaboration and best practices.
He said the theme of the conference naturally flowed from the last conference, focusing on the broader issues of enhanced security mechanism, and international development with emphasis on internal policing.
Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police of Kenya, Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, said Kenya and Nigeria have enjoyed a cordial and mutual relationship for many years while seeking good benefits for their citizens.
He noted that, as African Union Police Chief, he had informed the AU heads of state and government during their meeting in July 2023 in Nairobi of the need for joint exercise and security training, particularly in surveillance of the respective borders in the wake of terrorism and trans-border crimes.
He called for collaboration to improve the needs and welfare of the citizens.
In the same vein, the Inspector General of Police of Rwanda, CG Felix Namuhoranye, described the theme of the conference as "very significant, timely and relevant, as we resonate with the security concerns not only in Nigeria but in Africa in general."
He said development and peace can only take place in a secure environment, noting that inclusiveness is a moral obligation that is necessary in the police force just as it is paramount in government policy.
Earlier, Vice President was received by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and other dignitaries.
Below is the text of the the IGP Kayode Egbetokun at the CARSPO Retreat
Distinguished Senior Officers, esteemed guests, ladies, and gentlemen,It is with profound honour and a deep sense of duty that I welcome you all to the opening ceremony of the fifth edition of Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers. This annual gathering serves as a crucial platform for assessing our administrative and operational strategies, exchanging insights, and realigning our policing objectives with the evolving global security landscape in Nigeria.2. Over the past few years, each edition of this conference has offered valuable insights that have shaped contemporary policing in Nigeria, promoting innovation, collaboration, and best practices. In particular the most recent conference was incredibly impactful. When we last gathered in Owerri for the fourth edition of this conference and retreat, we convened under the theme “Fostering Economic Prosperity, Social Integration, and Political Development Through Enhanced Internal Security Mechanisms.” It highlighted the crucial roles of security in national development, emphasizing how a secure nation promotes economic growth, strengthens social cohesion, and fosters political stability. Over the past year, we have diligently worked to implement measures that align with this vision.3. Today, we gather under the theme, “Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing.” This theme naturally flows from our last conference. While we previously focused on the broader integration of security mechanisms into national development, we now emphasis the critical aspect of inclusive policing: Highlighting the the imperativeness of an all society policing approach to addressing current security challenges and enhancing economic prosperity.4. This year’s theme captures the essence of our strategic direction. It Mirrors President Bola Amend Tinubu’s security vision and underscores our determination to cultivate a police force that is professionally competent, intelligence-driven, and equipped to confront emerging threats proactively. 5. To achieve an in-depth discussion and deepen reflection by participants, the theme has been organized around nine sub-themes as follows: Sub-themeStrategizing on a Force Action Plan for Inclusive Policing in Nigeria The imperative of adopting New Policing Strategies in Africa: A Study of RwandaCrime Outlook for 2024/2025: Preparing the Force for New Internal Security Challenges Law Enforcement Guidance for Policing Public Demonstrations and Protests: The African ExperienceNigeria’s Cybercrime Outlook: Threats and OpportunitiesWelfare of police officers as motivation for attaining professionalism, increased output and enhanced service delivery.Recent Efforts in Global Police Cooperation and Impact on Countering Violent Extremism in Africa Building Sustainable Police-Citizen Partnership Through Deliberate Media Engagements.Tackling Misinformation, Disinformation and fake news – A significant challenge fueling insecurity and impeding socio-economic progress especially as it affect Nigeria Police Force.6. Our nation continues to confront complex threats, including violent crimes, cyber-related offenses, terrorism, and transnational organized crimes. To effectively address these challenges, intelligence-led policing must remain at the core of our operations. We are therefore committed to deepening strategic partnerships with both domestic and international security agencies while enhancing community engagement to bolster public trust and promote active citizen participation in policing.7. Building on the successes of previous conferences, we have undertaken major reforms in investigative procedures, prioritizing forensic analysis, digital case management, and improved judicial collaboration. The reorganisation of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and other specialized units has been a priority, ensuring that our detectives operate in line with globally accepted best practices.8. Furthermore, recognizing the growing threat of cybercrime, we have strengthened the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC), complemented by the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Unit. These units, in collaboration with the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), are actively working to combat financial crimes and ensure Nigeria’s compliance with international security and financial regulations.9. Our intensified operations and commitment to the cooperation with the military and other security agencies in our fight against banditry, kidnapping, and other organized crimes have yielded significant results, in the past year alone. Moving forward, all commands and formations have been mandated to implement a comprehensive Action Plan aimed at reducing crime rates by 50% in 2025 this also will form a crucial part of our discussion at this conference.10. Recognizing the indispensable role of public trust in effective policing, we launched the Nigeria Police Youth Summit in 2024 to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the younger generation. We intend to build on this initiative by expanding youth engagement programs nationwide, reinforcing our commitment to community-driven policing.11. To further enhance the welfare of our officers, we have initiated strategic housing schemes. Under my leadership, the first-ever Police Housing Summit was convened, leading to the reconstruction of dilapidated barracks and the development of new office and accommodation facilities across the country. Our personnel, who work tirelessly to protect lives and property, deserve the best, and their welfare remains a top priority of this administration.12. Investment in human capital is also paramount. We have finalized plans for specialized training in forensic investigation, intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism, and cybercrime detection. These training programs will be conducted in collaboration with both local and international stakeholders to ensure our officers are equipped with the requisite skills for modern law enforcement.13. As we continue with the current policing year, our focus remains steadfast on enhancing intelligence-sharing, strengthening forensic and digital investigative capabilities, and upholding zero tolerance for corruption and human right violation within the Force. Simultaneously, we will continue to prioritize the welfare and well-being of our officers to boost morale and enhance service delivery.14. Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, security threats and policing challenges are experienced everywhere across the world. As a result, there has been an increasing knowledge sharing among police leaders in different countries. During the last year’s Retreat, I hosted the President of INTERPOL, Major-General Ahmed Naser El-Rufai. I am glad to report, that during this year’s Conference, I am hosting two Inspectors-General of Police from African Countries – Kenya and Rwanda. Their presence at this Conference underscores our emphasis on international cooperation. Notably, in training, knowledge and intelligence-sharing and technical support. 15. This annual conference and retreat (the fifth edition) was originally scheduled for November 2024 but had to be rescheduled for operational reasons. Consequently, another retreat (for this year) will take place later in 2025, hopefully this will be hosted by one of our northern states. In conclusion, distinguished officers, the challenges before us are significant, but with strategic innovation, unwavering professionalism, and meaningful community partnerships, we will continue to make remarkable progress. The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in adapting to contemporary security challenges, ensuring safety and stability for all Nigerians.16. As we embark on this transformative journey of learning, reflection, and collaboration, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief of armed forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his steadfast and unwavering support of the police and the security sector. My sincere appreciation also extends to our dedicated partners, whose constant commitment and invaluable resources have made this vital event possible. Thank you to our esteemed guests and participants for contributing your time and insights to this essential discourse. Your input is valued; it will be instrumental in shaping the future of policing in Nigeria. With your collective wisdom and dedication, I am confident that we will emerge from this retreat with actionable resolutions that will reinforce our role as enablers of security and economic prosperity in Nigeria.As we engage in deliberations over the next few days, I encourage all participants to contribute meaningfully toward developing innovative and actionable strategies that will shape the future of policing in Nigeria. Together, we will build a safer and more prosperous nation.Thank you, and may God bless the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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