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Distress Calls: Gaidam Reiterates Importance to Police Response Time
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam has reiterated the need for the police ecosystem to collectively address the issue of response time to distress calls by Nigerians to enable citizens to enjoy the safer environment in the country.
Gaidam made the disclosure via a statement signed by Bolaji O. Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The statement, NAOSNP learnt was made by Gaidam during the official briefing by the Ag. Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun for the Honourable Minister, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam and Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The Minister said this can be achieved through the effective use of technology, inter-agency collaboration, the building of mutual trust, and proper management of information. By working together, we can enhance national security and create a safer environment for all Gaidam stressed.
To enhance our response capabilities, Gaidam said, we need to establish a standby force of at least three units of the Police Mobile Force in each state command. This will ensure a rapid and effective response to unforeseen incidents.
In his words, “Community engagement and trust building should be emphasized as well. The police force must actively involve the communities they serve, fostering a sense of cooperation and partnership. By enhancing coordination between Federal, State, and local law enforcement, we can create a unified front against crime and ensure a more effective response.
He added that to tackle the diverse range of criminal activities, they need to establish specialized units that can address each type of crime. This will require comprehensive training and capacity building programs for our officers and investing in technology for surveillance and crime prevention will greatly enhance our capabilities in maintaining law and order.
“Effective intelligence gathering mechanisms are critical for proactive crime prevention. We must establish robust systems to gather and analyze intelligence, enabling us to stay one step ahead of criminals. Strengthening cooperation between the police and the judiciary is also essential to ensure the smooth administration of justice. Gaidam stressed.
He pointed out that, several specific areas of concern require their immediate attention noting that they must establish a clear mission and vision for the police force, aligning our goals with the aspirations of the Nigerian people. We must also focus on strengthening police leadership and accountability, as these traits are vital for the efficient functioning of any law enforcement agency”. The minister noted
Gaidam emphasizes the need to establish mechanisms for monitoring police conduct to maintain high standards of professionalism and ethics through the use of body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras in operation vehicles adding that it will ensure that the rights and dignity of every citizen are respected at all times.
In his words, “We will not tolerate indiscipline within the police force, and discipline must be observed by all officers, regardless of rank or cadre. This platform serves as a crucial opportunity for fruitful discussions and the exchange of perspectives on formulating a robust working plan for the Nigeria Police. As someone who has served as a Governor and Chief Security Officer of one of the most embattled states affected by Boko Haram for over a decade, I understand the urgent need for police reform by global best practices in policing to ensure public safety.”
The Minister of State, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that the presentation of the Inspector General of Police was holistic and forward-looking which will be very helpful as the Ministry crafts a way forward towards achieving renewed hope policing agenda of Mr. President which is very ambitious. Working together as partners in progress would enable us to achieve it.
On community policing, she pointed out that it aligns with the thought of the Ministers which is critical and everyone must key in with it to enable increased confidence of the citizens in policing as we are working for them, which requires a lot of reforms and cooperation of the stakeholders. Intelligence-driven policing is not negotiable and the police force must be seen as a technology-driven organization this requires ambitious investment to implement. Imaan stressed.
In his presentation, the Ag. Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun congratulated the Ministers for their appointment adding that the entire police force is excited about the choice of Mr. President and has confidence that the day ahead would be very good for Nigerians.
He briefed the Ministers on general operations, challenges, and general internal situation in the country as well as presented a template for the Ministry to generate policies for the police ecosystem in the country,
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has constituted the LSSTF Monitoring Team with clear guidelines detailing their baseline expectations, roles, responsibilities, and performance. This is to ensure that all security agencies based in Lagos that benefit from the LSSTF largesse are responsible and responsive to the public goodwill which is reposed on them.
The constitution of the LSSTF Monitoring Team is in fulfillment of the pledge of the Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayo Ogunsan at the recent Strategic Media Parley with Senior Editors and Media Executives. He had assured the journalists that the era of abuse and misuse of public resources is over.
It will be recalled that Ogunsan outlined his leadership focus at the media Parley which held at the Agency’s Headquarters on 5th December 2025. ‘Public confidence in the Fund is essential. Under my leadership, transparency will be the standard not the exception. We will, maintain strict oversight on contractor performance, monitor all funded projects closely, publish updates on the utilization of donations, strengthen internal governance and reporting, and deepen stakeholder communication and feedback mechanisms.’
With the LSSTF Monitoring Team duly constituted, Ogunsan gave them the marching orders to include: ‘Monitoring and tracking of vehicles and other security assets belonging to RRS; Conducting routine field inspections to determine the state of Fund’s assets; Maintaining accurate records of assets deployed by the Fund to the RRS and providing operational reports; Accessing the application of assets provided to the security agencies as a prerequisite for further allocation; Monitoring repairs and refurbishments embarked upon by the Fund; and Any other duty as may be assigned from time to time.’
The inauguration and public presentation of a monitoring vehicle to facilitate the efforts of the LSSTF Monitoring Team will be held very soon.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, has confirmed a tanker explosion that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 17th December 2025, along the Temu–Sabo route, by the Bypass Pobona area of Epe, Lagos State.
The incident, according to a statement by the Public Education Officer, SRC Oluwadamilola Jayeola, made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), occurred at about 0205hrs and was reported at 0210hrs. Operatives of the FRSC Epe Unit Command responded promptly and arrived at the scene within minutes.
Speaking on the incident, the Sector Public Education Officer, Superintendent Route Commander (SRC) Oluwadamilola Jayeola, stated that preliminary findings revealed that the explosion involved a commercial MACK tanker and five other vehicles, bringing the total number of vehicles affected to six (6).
She explained that the crash was attributed to brake failure, which resulted in loss of control and a subsequent lone crash. Although two adult persons were involved in the incident, no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
Traffic control was immediately established by FRSC operatives to prevent secondary incidents. The Corps worked in synergy with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and the Lagos State Fire Service, which successfully contained and extinguished the fire.
A private tow truck was also contacted and placed on standby to facilitate the prompt recovery of the affected vehicles and clear the obstruction along the route.
The Sector Commander, FRSC Lagos Sector Command, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, reiterated his advisory to motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to ensure regular and thorough vehicle maintenance, with special emphasis on braking systems, before embarking on any journey.
The Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps remains steadfast in its commitment to prompt emergency response, effective traffic management, and the safety of all road users.
Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has formally submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Ahmed Farouk, over alleged corruption and financial impropriety.
The petition, dated December 16, 2025, was submitted through Dangote’s lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, and received at the office of the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
In the petition, Dangote called for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the NMDPRA boss, alleging that Farouk has been living far above his legitimate means as a public servant.
Dangote specifically accused Ahmed Farouk of allegedly spending over seven million United States dollars on the education of his four children in Switzerland, paid upfront for a six-year period, without any lawful explanation for the source of the funds.
According to the petition, the four children and their respective schools in Switzerland were clearly identified, along with the amounts paid on their behalf, to enable the ICPC verify the allegations.
The industrialist further alleged that Farouk Ahmed had been using his position at the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain and private interests, actions which he claimed had recently triggered public protests and widespread criticism of the agency.
Dangote maintained that Ahmed Farouk has spent his adult life working in Nigeria’s public sector, adding that his cumulative earnings over the years could not reasonably account for the alleged seven million dollars reportedly spent on the overseas education of his children.
“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement constitute gross acts of corruption, for which your Commission is statutorily empowered under Section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” the petition stated.
It further noted that under the same section of the ICPC Act, any person found guilty of such offences is liable to imprisonment for a term of five years without an option of fine.
Dangote urged the commission to act decisively, stressing that the ICPC, alongside other anti-graft agencies, is strategically positioned to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences.
“In view of the foregoing, we call on the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting,” the petition added.
The Dangote Group Chairman also expressed confidence that the matter, being in the public domain, would not be ignored, urging the ICPC to act in the interest of justice and to protect the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Dangote further pledged his readiness to provide additional evidence to substantiate his allegations of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office and impunity against the NMDPRA Managing Director.
