The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has made a compelling case for deepened international cooperation, describing the support of global partners as “indispensable” to the ongoing transformation of the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking during a high-level consultative meeting with representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU), and various foreign diplomatic missions in Abuja on Tuesday, the IGP emphasized that the modern security challenges facing Nigeria—ranging from cybercrime to transnational insurgency—require a policing model that is globally aligned and technologically advanced.
A Quest for Modernity
“The Nigeria Police Force is at a critical juncture,” IGP Disu stated. “While the Federal Government has shown unprecedented commitment through the 2026 Police Regulations Amendment, we recognize that the speed of our reform will be accelerated by the technical and operational expertise of our international allies.”
The IGP’s appeal focuses on three core pillars:
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Technological Integration: Transitioning from manual filing systems to an integrated digital criminal database.
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Capacity Building: Specialized training for officers in counter-terrorism, forensic analysis, and intelligence-led policing.
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Human Rights & Accountability: Embedding global best practices in civil engagement to restore public trust.
Leveraging the “SPAAT” Framework
The IGP specifically lauded the Supporting Police Accountability and Transformation (SPAAT) programme, funded by the German government and coordinated by the UNDP. This framework has already been instrumental in the recent gazetting of the 2026 Police Regulations, which introduced clearer command structures and gender-responsive policing.
“Our goal is a police force that is not only feared by criminals but trusted by the law-abiding citizen,” Disu added. He noted that recent successes, including the high-profile repatriation of transnational fugitives through INTERPOL NCB Abuja, demonstrate what is possible when Nigerian law enforcement operates in sync with global partners.
Diplomatic Response
In response, the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, reaffirmed the commitment of the international community to a stable Nigeria. She noted that an effective, people-centered police force is the bedrock of national development.
The meeting concluded with the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Police Reform, which will serve as a permanent liaison between the NPF and its foreign development partners to ensure that reform objectives are met with measurable timelines.
