The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has officially declared open a specialized training session for operatives who will manage the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) criminal database systems across zonal, divisional, and state levels.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, IGP Egbetokun described the training as a “bold step into a new era of data-driven policing”, emphasizing that accurate criminal records are vital to modern security management.
“Without data, there is no memory. Without memory, there is no justice. But with data, there is no hiding place for criminals,” he stated.
The IGP highlighted that the new criminal database systems will form the “nervous system of Nigerian policing”, enabling officers to track repeat offenders, detect crime patterns, and share intelligence seamlessly nationwide. He added that the platform will also integrate Nigeria into global networks such as INTERPOL and the African Union Border Programme, ensuring that criminals can no longer seek refuge abroad.
“These systems will strengthen prosecutions, support judges with credible records, and position Nigeria firmly within the global policing community,” he noted.
Egbetokun charged the trainees to approach their roles with professionalism, integrity, and diligence, stressing that their accuracy could determine whether a suspect walks free or faces justice.
The initiative, according to the Police Chief, is a key component of the broader Police Reform Agenda aimed at eliminating weak records, scattered files, and fragmented intelligence.
“No case will vanish into forgotten files. No conviction will disappear into silence. Trust begins with record-keeping,” he said, adding that effective documentation will improve public confidence in the Force.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his visionary leadership and commitment to a “safe and digital Nigeria”, the IGP also appreciated the Police Service Commission, Ministry of Interior, and international partners for their technical and financial support in making the project a reality.
He further dedicated the reform to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, pledging that their sacrifices would “never again be lost in unkept files but preserved in the digital memory of the Force.”
As the session commenced, IGP Egbetokun urged the participants to maximize the training opportunity.
“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 is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s law enforcement capabilities and mark a historic shift toward intelligence-led policing built on robust, reliable data systems.