The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Training and Development), Mr. Ifeanyi Uche, has commended the administration of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for its substantial investments in manpower development and modern security infrastructure. These include a Command and Control Centre, surveillance systems, drones, and other high-tech crime-fighting tools.
Commendation During Training Event
The AIG delivered this praise on Friday during a training session organized by the Enugu State government for hundreds of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Forest Guards, and the Neighbourhood Watch. The five-day training, themed ‘Building Smarter, Safer and Secure Communities,’ focused on data gathering and cybersecurity. Facilitators included the Chairman of the INTERPOL Africa Working Group on Cybercrime and trainers from the NPF National Cybercrime Centre.
Embracing Technology to Combat Crime
Speaking with journalists after touring the Enugu State Command and Control Centre with participants on the final day of the training, Uche noted that criminal activities have evolved from conventional offences to technology-driven crimes. He emphasized that security agencies must embrace digital tools for effective crime prevention and investigation. “Most crimes today are technologically generated. To effectively combat them, law enforcement agencies must deploy technology and acquire the necessary skills to use it,” he said.
Uche expressed his admiration for the technological infrastructure in Enugu State, stating, “I have seen firsthand the technological infrastructure that we have on the ground here in Enugu State. I can tell you clearly that I am so impressed with what I have seen. That is why, outside here, we all know that Enugu State is one of the safest states in Nigeria. And the testament is what I’ve seen today.” He added that the world has embraced smart policing and commended Governor Mbah for using technology to fight crime, noting that the old era of analogue methods is over.
Training Objectives and Impact
The AIG explained that the training aimed to align manpower with available technology by equipping security personnel with skills in data protection, data extraction, analysis, cybersecurity, and the application of digital technologies in intelligence gathering and crime detection.
Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guards, Dr. Olasoji Akinbayo, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, said the training would strengthen intelligence gathering, data management, and inter-agency collaboration. He noted that effective data collection and analysis would significantly improve security operations across the state, and the state government had adequately equipped the Forest Guards with necessary tools to work closely with other agencies.
Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Osondu, a Superintendent of Police, said the training was aimed at enhancing digital security capabilities across different agencies. He described the programme as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation and leveraging technology for security. He attributed the programme’s success to the support of the Inspector-General of Police and the state government’s commitment to funding security initiatives.
Beneficiaries Share Experiences
One beneficiary, Chief Security Officer of Oji River Local Council, Mr. Onyia Nwokeabia, described the training as highly impactful. He said, “Part of what we learnt here has already yielded results. Using some of the digital investigative techniques taught during the training, I was able to identify suspects linked to a threatening phone call and one of them is already in police custody.”
Similarly, Deputy Superintendent of Corps, NSCDC, Mrs. Ijeoma Obidigbo, said the programme deepened participants’ understanding of cybersecurity, data protection, and digital investigation techniques. “With the knowledge gained from this programme, we now understand the importance of protecting information from cyber threats and how technology can be used to track and apprehend criminals more efficiently,” she stated.
