The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has officially declared open the training programme for Nigeria Police Force (NPF) operatives responsible for managing the Force’s criminal database systems across zonal, state, and divisional commands.
Speaking at the event in September 2025, the IGP described the initiative as a landmark step in Nigeria’s policing history, marking the transition from reactive policing to data-driven, intelligence-led strategies.
He stressed that the criminal database systems are not just electronic records but “the memory of our justice system and the heartbeat of intelligence-led policing,” noting that they will enhance the tracking of repeat offenders, detection of crime patterns, intelligence sharing, and integration with global platforms such as INTERPOL.
Egbetokun charged the operatives undergoing training to embrace their roles with professionalism, discipline, and integrity, emphasising that accuracy in data entry could determine whether suspects face justice or escape accountability.
“This initiative is part of our broader Police Reform Agenda,” the IGP said, adding that the era of weak records, scattered files, and fragmented intelligence in the Force was over. He maintained that the reform would not only improve police accountability but also strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.
Highlighting the global relevance of the initiative, the Police Chief explained that integration with international policing frameworks would ensure that criminals could no longer find refuge outside Nigeria. “When a trafficker is convicted in Nigeria, the world must know. When a weapon is seized at our borders, its trail must echo across continents,” he declared.
The IGP also paid tribute to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, pledging that their sacrifices would no longer be forgotten in “dusty files and unkept records,” but preserved in the Force’s digital memory.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his vision of a safe and digital Nigeria, as well as to the Police Service Commission, the Ministry of Interior, and international partners for their support.
Declaring the training open, Egbetokun urged participants to approach the programme with focus and commitment. “Every keystroke you make is a strike against crime. Every record you preserve is a shield for justice. Every report you file is a testimony of accountability,” he charged.
The training, according to the IGP, is expected to transform policing in Nigeria, making the Force more modern, trusted by citizens, and respected globally.
