Tinubu’s administration boosted police with e-policing tools: Minister

The Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, has said President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office has recorded significant investment in e-policing.

The minister said this on Friday in Abuja at a ministerial briefing ahead of Mr Tinubu’s first anniversary in office on May 29.

He said the investments were directed towards surveillance systems, drones, and communication technologies to bolster the Nigerian police’s capacity for real-time data collection and response.

Mr Gaidam said the integration of forensic technology has played a pivotal role in criminal investigations and perpetrator identification.

“Within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Nigerian police has deployed various cutting-edge intelligence gathering and verification tools.

“The tools include digital reconstructive analysis devices, drones, pen and watch cameras, as well as infrared telescopes.

“The implementation of ICT applications and platforms like the RescueMe App, the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) and Police VGS has amplified e-policing strategies, enhancing operational efficiency across all domains,” he said.

The minister said the administration had established the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC) for the Nigeria Police Force in the year under review.

He said the centre would serve as a platform for collaboration among various law enforcement agencies to consolidate criminal data, conduct analysis and share key intelligence products.

Mr Gaidam said the idea was to bolster internal security operations and facilitate intelligence sharing among security agencies in Nigeria and the broader international security community.

He said the administration had also strengthened the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) by strengthening its legal framework.

According to him, key security institutions are now equipped with WAPIS terminals, enabling access to crucial information that has greatly enhanced collaborative efforts to combat criminal activities.

He said the administration’s other achievement was automating the police specialised services, including issuing unique reference numbers that could be globally validated through online applications.

Mr Gaidam explained that the automation had streamlined and significantly improved the application and processing of police character certificates.

He said the administration’s other achievement was the inauguration of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in the FCT to address the rise in violent crimes within the territory.

According to him, since the inauguration, the squad has achieved notable successes, including the arrest of 23 suspects over kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.

He said the squad had also recovered multiple arms, ammunition and over 20 stolen vehicles.

(NAN)