…declares open Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday called for a synergy among all security agencies in the country, noting such collaboration remains vital to eliminating banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of criminality.
The president made the call while declaring open the 5th edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Represented by his deputy, Senator Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu noted that though the Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally empowered to maintain internal security to protect lives and property and uphold public order, it is essential to recognize that security is a shared responsibility.
He pointed out that the community and citizens must actively collaborate with the Police to foster a safer society, no matter how well equipped.
The president acknowledged that the timing of the retreat is crucial and commendable while its theme of aligns seamlessly with his administration’s core objectives.
He stressed that his administration is committed to fostering economic growth by leveraging the past potentials of human and natural resources, saying the vision is unattainable without a stable internal security landscape from states under collaboration.
Tinubu added that from 2023, his government has embarked on decisive reforms to address the challenges of mismanagement and neglect, which has adverse effects on internal security, food security, unemployment, inflation and infrastructure.
“We have introduced reforms to restore investors confidence by stabilizing the macro economic environment and reducing inflation. We are also taking prime measures to instill peace and stabilizing foreign exchange markets and eliminate financial leakages by removing and electricity subsidies
“These efforts are critical to budgetary resources enabling us to address long standing infrastructural deficits. We are investing in roads, railways and energy projects for public private partnership with lower transportation costs; expand markets access; boost productivity and create much needed jobs.
“Internal security is fundamental to creating an environment where businesses and investment flourish. Recognizing this, our administration, prioritizes our security agencies under operational capability, ensuring that they are well equipped to confront emergencies and effectively combat crime.
“I reaffirmed our administration’s commitment to enhancing the institutional capacity of Nigeria’s Police Force ensuring it is more effective and well positioned to fulfill its constitutional mandates, as the lead agency in internal security.
“Our policies include training and retraining a competent workforce, while fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
“We are working to bridge the existing security infrastructure and equipment gaps through comprehensive and sustainable programmes, that includes, renovating Police barracks, including mobility and upgrading essential combats and protective gears.
“These ongoing efforts complemented by efforts of state governments will certainly inspire confidence and reposition the Nigeria Police Force”, the president stated.
In his speech, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, explained that the annual conference and retreat for senior police officers has served as a crucial platform for assessing administrative and operational strategies, exchanging insights, and realigning our policing objectives with the evolving global security landscape in Nigeria.
The IGP added that each edition of the conference has offered valuable insights that have shaped contemporary policing in Nigeria, promoting innovation, collaboration, and best practices.
He stated further that the theme of the 2025 edition,“Fostering Economic Prosperity, Social Integration, and Political Development Through Enhanced Internal Security Mechanisms’, highlighted the crucial roles of security in national development, emphasizing how a secure nation promotes economic growth, strengthens social cohesion, and fosters political stability.
“This theme naturally flows from our last conference. While we previously focused on the broader integration of security mechanisms into national development, we now emphasize the critical aspect of inclusive policing: Highlighting the imperativeness of an all society policing approach to addressing current security challenges and enhancing economic prosperity.
“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.
“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”, the IGP said
Egbetokun, however, disclosed that as a result of the growing threat of cybercrime, police under his leadership has strengthened the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC), complemented by the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Unit.
According to him, “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”.
While reiterating that police under his watch was committed to enhance professionalism and inclusive policing, the IGP thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s steadfast and unwavering support of the police and the security sector.
He urged participants at the retreat to contribute meaningfully towards developing innovative and actionable strategies that will shape the future of policing in Nigeria.
In their respective remarks, the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Hashim Argungu, represented by a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, Kenyan Police Chief and chairman of AFRIPOL, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, Rwandan Commissioner-General of Police and Chairman of East African Police Chiefs Cooperation, Felix Namuhoranye and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukayode Olukoyode, harped on collaboration across security platforms towards to combat both internal and regional insecurity.
