Editor
By Fatima Saka
The Senate on Thursday passed a bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Police Force Training Institutions, serving as high-level centers for the provision of professional training and other related matters.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, the sponsor, Senator Abdulhamid Mallam-Madori Ahmed (Jigawa East), articulated that the bill aims to provide specialized training in any professional field relevant to policing and law enforcement.
He emphasized that the bill is a response to the pressing need to reform, professionalize, and enhance the capacity of our Police Force to address the evolving security challenges of our nation, considering the intricacies of policing a society with high crime rates.
Expressing concern over the inadequate state of affairs, he noted that many existing training facilities suffer from underfunding, obsolescence, and a lack of essential infrastructure and curriculum to deliver the specialized training required for present-day officers.
He argued that our officers must not only possess fundamental policing skills but also be equipped with advanced knowledge in intelligence gathering, forensic science, counterterrorism, cybercrime investigation, human rights enforcement, and community policing strategies.
In essence, the bill aims to provide specialized training to police officers at all levels, develop a curriculum that aligns with modern policing requirements, supply state-of-the-art equipment and competent instructors, and foster collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.
The bill successfully passed the second reading with the endorsement of his fellow senators, recognizing the significance of establishing a contemporary security agency to safeguard lives and property in today’s world.
