The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam has reiterated the commitment of the Ministry to establish mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Police reform roadmap.

He made this known according to a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), during the stakeholder’s engagement on police reforms comprising the Chairman Police Service Commission; the German Ambassador to Nigeria; the Director-General of the Institute of Police Studies; and representatives of the National Security Adviser; Nigeria Police Force (NPF); Nigeria Correctional Service; Nigeria Police Trust Fund; CLEEN Foundation; United Nations Development Partners (UNDP) held at the Headquarters of the Ministry in Abuja.

The Minister said the Ministry will coordinate donor support strategically in order to prevent duplication of efforts, optimize the convergence of assistance, and ensure judicious allocation of resources to identified priorities in our police development plan.

“This event aligns with our unwavering commitment to fulfilling the mandate set forth by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to reform the Nigeria Police in accordance with global best practices. Furthermore, we will actively promote adherence to the principles of trust and confidence, which are indispensable to successful policing,” he said.

Gaidam expressed that the reform of our police force is not just a task but a crucial priority for the current administration. As the primary responsibility assigned to the Ministry of Police Affairs by President Tinubu’s administration in October 2023, and directed the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Police Affairs, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission to develop a comprehensive blueprint for the sustainable reform of the Nigeria Police Force.

According to him, “This mandate reflects the administration’s recognition of the urgent need for transformation within our policing system. This initiative is designed to reshape the narrative surrounding police reforms in Nigeria, aiming to move beyond the rhetoric that has characterized past efforts.”

He posited that the core objective of the stakeholders’ engagement is to initiate a series of meaningful conversations aimed at building a multi-party, cross-societal consensus on police reforms.

He added, “We recognize that true change cannot occur in isolation; it requires the involvement of various segments of the society. By engaging different stakeholders, we aim to educate the general public about the intricacies of policing. This education is essential for fostering the consensus needed to create a nationally-owned reform blueprint that will create a clear and actionable path forward that resonates with the realities of our society.”

The Minister reaffirmed that the engagement with stakeholders is not a one-time event; it is essential throughout the entire reform process noting that public opinion must be sought and valued at every stage of the initiative and to ensure that the reforms are reflective of the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve.

In his remarks, rhe German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annet Gunther, stated that the German government has significantly invested in strengthening police training by refurbishing and equipping training facilities in Lagos, Enugu, Abuja, and Kaduna, and over 1000 police trainers have been trained in modern, adult-oriented learning technique, specialized training in leadership, human rights; crisis communication and gender-sensitive policing.

“Through our work with civil society organizations and national institutions, we have promoted key governance reforms, such as the establishment of the Police Transformation and Reform Office (PORTO) now succeeded by the Police Reform Secretariat which drives the reform agenda forward,” she said.

In the wake of a good number of road traffic crashes that resulted into fire outbreak in recent times, and the urgent need to bring the menace to an end, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Federal Fire Service (FFS) have entered into a historic partnership aimed at eliminating fire-related crashes on Nigerian roads.

A statement by the FRSC’s Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the groundbreaking collaboration will witness the joint training of personnel from both agencies, joint enforcement patrol, as well as improved data sharing to enhance response times and effectiveness.

The partnership, which was formalized by the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Shehu Mohammed and the Controller-General, FFS, Engr. Jaji Olola Abdulganiyu at the national headquarters of the Corps, marks a significant milestone in the quest to reduce the incidence of fire-related crashes on Nigerian roads.

Speaking during the visit, the Controller-General noted that the Federal Fire Service is committed to protecting lives and properties, and this partnership will enable the two services to respond more effectively to fire-related emergencies on the roads. He showed optimism as he looks forward to working closely with the FRSC to achieve shared goals.

Responding to the Controller General, the Corps Marshal highlighted that the partnership is a testament to the Corps’ commitment to safety and determination to explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing the nation’s transportation sector. He noted that by combining expertise and resources, the agencies can significantly reduce the risk of escalation of fire-related crashes and make the roads safer for all users.

The joint training program will focus on equipping personnel from both agencies with the skills and knowledge needed to respond effectively to fire-related crashes. The program will cover topics such as fire prevention, fire fighting, and emergency response.

In addition to the joint training program, the partnership will also involve improved data sharing and effective patrol operations between the two agencies to enforce compliance on having fire extinguishers in vehicles. This will enable them to share critical information on fire-related crashes, including incident locations, response times, and outcomes.

By combining their strengths and resources, the FRSC and FFS are poised to make a significant impact on road safety in Nigeria. This partnership serves as a model for future collaborations between agencies and underscores the importance of interagency cooperation in achieving shared goals.

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has taken more proactive action towards tackling the spate of tanker crashes in Nigeria, as he visits the national headquarters of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch-National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Employers (NUPENG-PTD) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The visit, according to a statement by the Corps’ Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), which was a prelude to the forthcoming critical stakeholders meeting organised at the expense of the Corps Marshal to discuss possible ways of bringing to an end, all challenges confronting the safety of lives and properties in the road transportation sector of the country.

While appreciating the support the Corps has received over the years from the Union, the Corps Marshal laid emphasis on the greater need for more collaboration and partnership, especially in the area of training and retraining of Petroleum Tanker Drivers and complying with minimum safety standards in haulage operations.

The National Chairman of the Union, Comrade Augustine Egbon who received the Corps Marshal, commended FRSc’s proactive approach towards enhancing safety in haulage operations in Nigeria. He accepted the need for more collaboration with the Corps in the area of training and retraining and further registered the readiness of the Union to support the Corps through mass media sensitisation campaigns.

The visit amongst other things forms part of Corps Marshal’s ongoing effort to ensure that all stakeholders play critical role in enhancing safety on the nation’s highways.

The meeting had Members of Management of the Corps as well as the Deputy National Chairman of the Union, Alhaji Shuaibu Leba, the National Trustee NUPENG-PTD, Otunba Salmon Akanni Oladiti as well as other Excos of the Union.