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NCDFC: We’re Working Hard to Enable Smooth Interface Among Security Agencies – Sani-Gwarzo
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to complete the National Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC) to enable security agencies to interface and share information to curb the activities of criminals in the country.
A statement signed by the Ministry’s Deputy Director, Press, Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), noted that the Perm Sec made the remarks during a meeting with the Head (INTERPOL, National Crime Bureau) in Nigeria, AIG Stanley Udeh, at the Ministry Headquarters in Abuja recently.
The Permanent Secretary said that 18 ongoing projects are interrelated. Once they are completed, it will enhance the capacity of the security agencies to solve numerous crimes; law enforcement; pool of criminal data, and effective interagency collaboration.
Dr. Sani-Gwarzo added that the Honourable Ministers are championing quick completion of the projects, and directed that any gaps identified should be corrected to ensure the effective implementation of the Ministry’s key result area of the technological transformation.
“With what we are doing now, I am optimistic that the Nigeria Police Force will function effectively and efficiently to deliver quality service to Nigerians,” he stressed.
He further stated that “We do not need to wait for the United Nations to provide us data on criminal activities in our domain.
“We need to do more to profile and document criminals in the country and the Ministry is ready to support the Nigeria Police Force to have the capacity to do that.”
He pointed out that as the data centre facility is 50% completed and 100% equipment purchased, there is the need for physical structure development to go along with the mobilization of sister agencies NPF is interfacing with for the manpower training.
AIG Stanley Udeh had earlier pointed out that the National Criminal Data Centre and National Crime and Incident Data Base centre are progressing under the supervision of the Ministry and stressed the need to have a functional centralized Criminal Data Centre to harmonized pockets of data among sister agencies.
He said his office is a national entity that liaises and fulfills a role in the international police operation by liaising with both local police and international law enforcement agencies adding that what is needed now is to set up a committee that will promote interagency understanding in the development of the centre.
“The essence of Interpol is to support global law enforcement operations. The Interpol activities extend to a jurisdiction with no diplomatic relations and the interaction is such that law enforcement should not be hindered by military, political, religious or commercial issues,” Udeh said.
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), in collaboration with the Body of Banks’ CEOs, hosted an engagement with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, in Lagos.
The meeting, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), reinforced the shared commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s financial system as a critical pillar of national stability and economic growth.
In his remarks, the IGP underscored the strong nexus between financial security and national security, noting that the resilience of banking operations is central to investor confidence and Nigeria’s global credibility. He highlighted the evolving threat environment, emphasizing that beyond traditional risks such as armed attacks, the sector now faces increasingly sophisticated challenges, including cyber-enabled fraud, identity compromise, insider facilitation, and illicit financial flows.
To address these risks, the Nigeria Police Force continues to advance an intelligence-led approach to protecting financial infrastructure. The IGP referenced recent operations that dismantled violent crime networks, disrupted kidnapping syndicates, and recovered illegal arms, thereby strengthening the enabling environment for business continuity. He further noted his recent engagements with the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Abuja and the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX), both aimed at enhancing financial system integrity and investor protection.
In line with the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Force is enhancing the recruitment, training, and deployment of Supernumerary Police Officers (Spy Police) to meet the specialized security needs of banks and other critical financial institutions.
In conclusion, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to working closely with the banking sector as a strategic partner in safeguarding the stability, integrity, and international reputation of Nigeria’s financial architecture.
Passengers aboard an Arik Air flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt experienced moments of anxiety on Wednesday morning after the aircraft developed an engine issue mid-air, forcing an emergency diversion to Benin City.
Following established safety procedures, the pilots immediately diverted the flight to the nearest airport as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely at Benin Airport without further complications.
Arik Air said all 80 passengers and crew members onboard disembarked safely, with no injuries recorded. The airline added that arrangements had been made to convey affected passengers to their intended destination in Port Harcourt.
“The safety and wellbeing of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air. We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted,” the statement read.
The Senate may release records of how lawmakers voted on the controversial electronic transmission of election results, Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, has said.
Ningi spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, ahead of the emergency plenary session scheduled for Tuesday, convened amid mounting public criticism over the Senate’s handling of the Electoral Act amendment.
Asked whether Nigerians could be allowed to see which senators supported or opposed real-time electronic transmission of results, Ningi said such disclosure was possible under the Senate’s rules.
“I think it’s possible. It depends on the presiding officer because the law provides that,” he said.
Explaining how the process could be made transparent, the lawmaker added: “You can stand up and say, ‘I, Ningi, I accept e-transmission in real time.’ I sit down. It’s recorded every other senator, and that is the only way we need to move forward.”
Ningi said the controversy surrounding the amendment was partly due to gaps in the official record of what transpired during deliberations.
“One thing that is very important is that the votes and proceedings have not been captured. So tomorrow (today), we need to look at what the votes and proceedings captured are. Is it a transfer?” he said.
He further questioned how the amendment to the electronic transmission clause was handled on the floor of the chamber.
“There was a motion for amendment by Manguno, and then the question was put. Who asked the question? Why was the question raised?” Ningi asked.
According to him, the matter required clearer deliberation before any decision was taken.
