By Ayomide Otitoju
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) through data-driven strategies, inter-agency collaboration, and international partnerships aimed at strengthening national security.
Gaidam made this known during the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) National Security Conference and Awards 2025, themed “Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources: A Call to Serve,” held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Represented by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem, the Minister highlighted several ongoing reforms under the Ministry of Police Affairs, including the establishment of the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC), the upgrade of the Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database (NPCIDB), the implementation of community policing initiatives, and the transparent recruitment of 30,000 new police officers to enhance operational efficiency.
He described the NCDFC as a milestone in intelligence-led policing, providing a centralized platform for law enforcement agencies to pool, analyse, and share criminal data to improve collaboration both locally and internationally. The upgraded NPCIDB, he added, now enables police divisions nationwide to collect biometric data on offenders and transmit it digitally to the central database for improved crime tracking.
Gaidam also emphasized ongoing collaboration among the Police, Armed Forces, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals to combat illegal mining and restore order in the solid minerals sector.
“Security is the foundation upon which all human endeavours are built. It requires inclusiveness, people-centric approaches, and collective efforts to ensure peace, safety, and prosperity,” the Minister said. He called on citizens, stakeholders, and the media to support the Nigeria Police Force through joint investments in technology, logistics, welfare, and equipment, proposing the deployment of high-resolution drone surveillance systems across police commands.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa—represented by Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Maman, Commandant of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre—stressed that security is essential to economic progress. He noted that while Nigeria’s crude oil production has risen to over 1.5 million barrels per day, vandalism and illegal activities continue to threaten these gains.
Maman emphasized the importance of addressing the non-kinetic aspects of security, including good governance, infrastructure, power, and social development, which he said account for nearly 70 percent of national stability efforts.
At the event, Senator Gaidam was honoured with the NAOSNP Iconic Man of the Year Award in recognition of his leadership and contributions to national security reforms.
