BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
The Ministry of Police Affairs under the supervision of two Ministers, Senator Ibrahim Geidam and Hajiya Imaan Suleiman -Ibrahim along with the able technocrat, Dr Nasir Sani Gwarzo as Permanent Secretary have refocused not only the policy framework of the Ministry , but operations in it’s entirety with a view to delivering on the national security mandate of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
Under the erudite political and administrative heads, and under the guise of the roles and mandates a lot of vision , transformation and road map towards ensuring a sane secured and highly organized environment was muted.
This is with a view to ensuring the safety and security of all and sundry, through provision of conducive environment to guarantee peaceful coexistence, among not only the citizenry but expatriates, so as to provide an enabling environment for socioeconomic development, sustained livelihood for the citizenry.
Hence under its new mandate , it formulated and implemented policies and programs that will ensure effective and efficient policing of internal security.
With the new role, the Ministry also provided technical and administrative support for the Nigeria Police Force NPF geared towards creating a conducive environment for maximum and secured nation.
It has initiated and implemented projects and programs that had direct bearing and will enhance the welfare of police, provide conditions for effective policing across the country.
As part of its pivotal roles under the Ministry, monitoring and evaluation of the overall implementation of policies, programs, and projects relating to policing and internal security of the nation.
The sensitization and engagements of appropriate stakeholders to promote funding and investment on policing, as well as participation of the citizenry on policing and security through possible feedbacks and law abiding.
On the whole, through review and evaluation, it is expected to liase with appropriate organs of government on matters relating to police council and internal security.
With the 16 deliverables within the specific presidential priorities ranging from priority 1 , 2, 3 which bordered on enhancing Police operationalization through digital technologies , using tracking , RMS, GIS among many others.
The second focus is to also develop and implement a harmonized police reform report, so as to chart a new way forward for the Nigeria Police Force NPF.
As part of the assigned presidential deliverables, it is expected to work the Ministry of Environment to mitigate the effects of desertification and climate change prevalent around the globe , with Nigeria not in exception.
The Ministry also set up an air squadron bases across the country with surveillance and attack drones and helicopters in the six geopolitical zones, to counter growing insecurity and threats.
The implementation of the presidential approval of recruitment of 30, 000 police officers for four consecutive years had already started in 2024, this is in view to harnessing security and safety of lives and properties.
The deliverables is expected from time to time to conduct review and develop policies in tandem with the new order, to reposition the internal security and also review policy for the operationalization of the Community Policing.
It is also expected to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment, develop and implement a climate.smart security strategy that will reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate related risks, and build resilience and resistance.
As part of presidential priorities and deliverables, the review of Police training curriculum to meet the best international standard through training and retraining of Police officers on global best practices, relating to crime practices, prevention, combating and the use of moden method and equipment.
Collaborate with Ministry of interior and relevant agencies of government to review, develop and implement an action plan to train agro -rangers.
Conversion of economically viable and police vehicles including machineries nationwide to alternative source of power, while it is expected to deploy and operationalise Enterprise Content Management System (ECM).
With the deliverables, vision to emerge as world class Nigeria Police Force NPF that will be fit for the 21st century, be inclusive, community based , intelligence- led and technologically driven, while excelling in maintaining public safety , law abiding, and fostering community trust through transparent and accountable practices.
With the road map to transform and reform the Nigeria Police Force NPF identified, the Ministry of Police Affairs, Nigeria Police Force NPF had developed and implemented gradually in phases a Renewed Hope Police Agenda and Transformation Roadmap, as a bold initiative that is capable of addressing existing challenges and reshape the Nigeria Police Force NPF into a modern , modest , proactive and efficient institution.
Though, a draft of the reform roadmap has been developed, and a broader stakeholders engagement under way, to ensure finalisation within the time frame of 2024 -2028.
The reform roadmap, a harmonisation of all previous police reforms reports in line with the presidential directives and approvals.
The reform reports which consisted of six included the 2006 Dan Madami led presidential panel set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo , M.D. Yusuf panel set up by former President Umar Musa Yar’adua’s administration and Parry Osayande panel in 2012 convened by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Others are CSO panel on police reform in 2012, presidential panel on SARS reform in Nigeria in 2018 along with the presidential roadmap and police reform set by the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, were all harmonized to give not only a broader view , but a lasting solution to the administration of police and deployment of internal security in Nigeria.
Having harmonised the divergent reports and views , the Ministry under the able leadership of two technocrats and politically exposed Ministers and assisted by highly experienced Permanent Secretary are focused to achieving the policing vision.
This was been done through massive interventions across six key areas with improved infrastructure development and utilization.
Determined to enhance technical and operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force NPF, so as to deliver on its mandate.
Improved wellness and welfare of the Nigeria Police Force NPF through provision of needed equipment and incentives, and development of a robust policy framework for policing in Nigeria.
The new Ministry is determined to strengthen community policing and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force NPF , as well as rebrand the Nigeria Police Force NPF to rebuild confidence of citizens in the force.
One year down the line , the focus on the agenda, vision and mission had been tackled headlong, through gradual implementation of the set goals in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda administration.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com
