By Our Correspondent
As part of efforts to equip personnel with the knowledge and skills required to enforce emerging laws and respond effectively to the country’s evolving security challenges, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has unveiled plans for a comprehensive retraining programme for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force
Disu disclosed this on Wednesday during his maiden official visit to the Enugu State Police Command since assuming office in March. The visit, which formed part of his nationwide operational assessment and familiarisation tour, provided an opportunity for him to interact with officers and men of the command while evaluating its operational readiness.5said continuous professional development had become indispensable, particularly as the police remained the lead security agency in the conduct of elections and other critical national assignments.
“We are embarking on comprehensive training for our officers and men to upgrade them to meet the demands of the new laws guiding our operational activities. As the lead agency in the election process, we know we must continually update our thinking and operational knowledge to meet contemporary realities,” he said.
Speaking on the country’s security situation, Disu reassured Nigerians of the Force’s unwavering commitment to tackling insecurity in collaboration with other security agencies.
He acknowledged the sacrifices made by police personnel in the line of duty, lamenting the recent killing of officers in different parts of the country, but maintained that such losses would not diminish the resolve of the Force to combat crime.
“We will continue to do our best alongside our sister security agencies to reduce insecurity. We have lost officers in the course of protecting Nigerians, but we remain committed to confronting criminality wherever it exists,” he stated.
Addressing concerns over manpower shortages, particularly in the Enugu State Police Command, the IGP assured officers that the issue was receiving urgent attention from the Force Headquarters.
He explained that the nationwide personnel deficit informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of 50,000 police personnel, noting that the exercise, already underway, could be expanded in view of prevailing security demands.
“The President approved the recruitment of 50,000 personnel because of the manpower challenges confronting the Force. Those recruits are already undergoing training across the country, and considering the current realities, the recruitment may even exceed that number,” Disu said.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, described the IGP’s visit as timely and morale-boosting for officers serving in the command.
He highlighted the command’s operational successes, ongoing efforts to combat crime, and the dedication of its personnel to maintaining peace and public safety across the state.
Giwa, however, appealed for additional operational logistics, improved welfare packages, modern policing equipment and increased personnel strength to enable the command effectively address emerging security threats.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professionalism, intelligence-led policing and stronger collaboration with communities and other security agencies in sustaining peace and security across Enugu State.
As part of his engagements in the state, the Inspector-General also participated in the commissioning of the Centre for DNA, Forensic and Criminal Investigation, established by the Enugu State Government in partnership with Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.
The facility, regarded as one of only a few of its kind in Africa and the second on the continent, is expected to significantly enhance forensic investigation, criminal intelligence gathering and the administration of justice in Nigeria.
The IGP’s visit underscored the Force’s renewed emphasis on capacity building, technological advancement and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening policing strategies and improving public safety across the country.
