Police Need Education, Technology to Tackle Modern Crime — IGP Disu

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has said education, research and technology are critical to building a modern and professional police force capable of combating emerging security threats across Nigeria.

Disu made the statement in Abuja during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, where he appealed for sustained support towards upgrading police educational institutions nationwide.

According to the police chief, many of the public complaints against the Nigeria Police Force stem from gaps in education and professional development among officers. He stressed that modern policing now requires scientific, intelligence-driven and technology-based approaches.

“Policing has gone beyond stereotypes. We want to be scientific. We need specialists in forensics, criminology, cyber security and data analytics. We want research-driven policing supported by advanced technology,” Disu said.

The IGP disclosed that the force was already training officers in artificial intelligence, drone operations and crime analytics as part of efforts to strengthen predictive policing and improve crime prevention strategies.

“We are doing analytics in policing. We can predict crimes happening. At the end of the year, for example, we notice increases in fraud, accidents and other crimes. These are things that data and research help us to understand and prevent,” he added.

Disu also revealed that the proposed police university in Ogun State would serve as a major milestone in the ongoing reform agenda of the force, aimed at aligning police training institutions with global best practices.

He appealed to TETFund to continue supporting the police through investments in academic infrastructure, ICT facilities, laboratories, research centres and staff development programmes.

Responding, Echono assured the police leadership of the agency’s continued partnership and support, describing Disu as a highly professional officer with a reputation for excellence.

He further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Ogun State and that funds had already been released for its takeoff.

“We have made funds available for the takeoff facilities, and our team will begin joint inspection and evaluation with the police team immediately,” Echono stated.

He urged the police authorities to ensure the Ogun campus attains full university status within a few years to enable it benefit from direct annual intervention funding from TETFund.

Echono also pledged support for specialised police training in areas such as cyber security, advanced investigations and technology-driven policing.

“The only way to keep pace with evolving crime is through continuous training, specialization and innovation,” he said.