Renewed Policing: One year of Imaan’s policy revolution in Ministry of Police Affairs, by Abubakar Yusuf
Hajiya Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim fsi was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as one of the cabinet Ministers in his cabinet in July , 2023 soon after his swearing in in May , 29th, 2023.
Having made the list , Imaan was redeployed to the Ministry of Police Affairs as Minister of State along with Senator Ibrahim Gaidam CON as second cabinet Minister, with both overseeing the affairs of the Ministry of Police Affairs.
On assumption of duty having been sworn in by Mr President and in pursuit of the realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda and vigour of her leadership as a reputable public servant before her Ministerial appointment, she settled down after acquainting herself with the mandate of the Ministry, particularly in the security of lives and properties and protecting the security image of the country locally and internationally.
Laced with performance traits and conscious of the performance bond of the new administration that basically attached to hardwork, the new Minister of State in conjunction with his colleague rolled out a lot of development in the Ministry.
Without delay ,and her background as a trained Fellow Security Institute (fsi) from the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), the mantle of securing lives and properties of Nigerians locally and internationally was made more easier.
In synergy with the Police authority, the Minister established the “National Criminal Data Fusion Center ” (NCDFC), that provided an enabling environment where relevant law enforcement agencies worked together to collate accurate data of criminals, analyse and disseminate key criminal intelligence products to support internal security.
Not long after the establishment of the centre, considering the influx of people to the FCT, the seat of government, threats of criminal activities in boarder states and other states of the country that boardered on kidnappings, banditry, among others vices, through the establishment of anti- vices policies that had reduced to the barest minimum the crime rates and incidencies.
Having birthed the special intervention squad(SIS), in FCT in January, 2024, the Nigeria Police Force empowered communities through engagement and collaboration by tackling crimes and criminalities.
The new Minister of State through the special intervention squad SIS upscaled the tactical unit in FCT, across the country to tackle waves of banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes deploying the unit and counter terrorism, hostage rescue and intelligence analysis.
The Nigeria Police also deployed technology and Information and Communication Technology ICT to drive it’s activities across the country, with recognition to the prowess and transformative power of technology in modern law enforcement.
Imaan Suleiman deployed through huge investment in surveillance systems, drones and communication technologies to enhance the force capacity and capabilities for real time information gathering and response.
The provision of 24/7 Internet service for West African Police System operated by NCIB/ Interpol officers engaged in the department that enabled the Data Collection and Registration Center (DACORE), established to bs fully functional.
It established automated Police specilised services with unique reference number that can be validated globally and improved turnaround time for the application and processing of Police Character Certificate.
The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with INTERPOL had justified the commitment of the country to work for the greater good of the region and the world.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim adopted a legal framework related to the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) , that gave a strong foundation for its operation ability among national law enforcement agencies.
The Minister ensured key agencies fully embraced the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) initiatives, as they are now equipped with the terminals, allowing them access to critical information that had significantly enhanced the collective efforts to combine crimes and criminalities.
Forensic equipment for identification and investigation of perpetrators through acquisition of gadgets, reconstructive analysis, drones, pen and watch cameras, as well as infrared telescopes meant for intelligence gathering and fact verification was provided across board.
Constant physical raids of black spots in the FCT , across states of the Federation, had led to series of arrests of suspects numbering 1,190 in FCT, with states not left out of the exercise.
The new Ministry prioritised boarder operations to the FCT, especially Nassarawa, Niger , Kogi and Kaduna States with regular operations and checks.
With the establishment of SIS ,many suspects of various crimes have been apprehended, possession of unlicenced firearms, stolen vehicles, with arrests and recoveries.
With the involvement of Intelligence Response Unit (IRT) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) , under the directives of the IGP , an expensive upscaling of their activities has been implemented across states, hence improved security of lives and properties across the states of the country.
With the convening of SIS, IRT and STS among other interventions, the kidnapping activities around Zuma rock of neighborhood Niger state, Bwari area council of FCT, had reduced to the barest minimum.
The recent arrests and parade of masterminds of Abuja -Kaduna train attack and 63 suspects for violent crimes along Kaduna/ Abuja expressway was a major achievements that will reduce kidnapping in that sector.
The Ministry rejigged collaboration with International Police (Interpol) to reduce international/ transnational crimes, and also launched the “Nigeria Police Veterans ” to remember those who had served the force diligently for many years.
Under the new Minister of State , the Nigeria Police introduced annual award and commendation ceremony to motivate it’s men to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and service.
To ensure transparency and accountability, under Honourable Minister Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim capacity building, training and retraining of staff on the full implementation of Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System IPPIS which has achieved full integration.
One year down the line into the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the ministry promoted (3,071), Education officers from level 07-17 in the system who have been in arears for over five years.
Aside deployment of survey instruments to Police command and department across the country to monitor crime, inter agency collaboration and continuity, she upgraded the modernisation of curriculum in all Police Training Institutions (PTIs) and colleges to ensure relevance, effectiveness and best practices.
This will also strengthen Police Public Complaints Committee (PPCC) to address cases of brutality against the public, while working assiduously on the drafting of a national policy document on robust community policing , that will regulate and streamline the activities of all stakeholders as well as set out operational guidelines for effective community policing in Nigeria.
Imaan , one year down the line initiated and inaugurated the committee on the development of National Policing Policy to drive the policy thrust of the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Police Affairs.
In her bid to sustain standard and policy thrust, the Minister in the last one year commissioned 165 cadet and Assistant Superintendent of Police officers at Nigeria Police College , Wudil,(NPCW) in Kano state, the only degree awarding Police institution in the country, to compete favorably with the international standard, as they were Course 5 of the Academy, that completed their five years training in both academic ans professional training.
The Ministry of Police Affairs, a year under review renovated and reconstructed three nos of Cadet hostels, with furnishing at the Police Academy, Wudil , Kano state with a capacity of 100 bed space for students comfort and conducive atmosphere, learning environment.
To avoid erosion and other natural phenomenon, Imaan embarked on construction of drainages and roads within the premises of the nation’s Police Academy, construction and furnishing of Enterpreneurship centre in the academy, supply and installation of Bakery equipment to enable the academy produce their own bread for consumption.
For conducive learning and training environment for cadets under training, the Minister also provided through supply and installation of Library equipment, and office furniture for staff of the academy.
One year down the line, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, as Minister of State, Police Affairs has achieved so much , but will do more given a conducive environment of more funding, synergy between agencies and the ministry to implement service charter, regular capacity building of staff and development to enhance productivity.
Having achieved greatly , no doubt , the performance bond template been used by the current administration, will encourage more development in all areas of nations body polity.
Yusuf Abubakar writes from Abuja and cab be reached via yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
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