Gaidam reaffirms government commitment to data-driven strategies for policing
From left: President, National Association of Online News Publishers (NAOSNP) Mr. Oki O. Samson, AIG Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, Representative of Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem(Head Information & Public Relations Unit), and Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Maman during the National Association of Online News Publishers (NAOSNP) National Security Conference/Awards 2025, with a theme titled, Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources held at the Ballroom Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos
Orisemeke Benjamin
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to repositioning the Nigeria Police Force through data-driven strategies, inter-agency synergy, and international cooperation towards building a safer, stronger Nigeria.
He stated this during the National Association of Online News Publishers (NAOSNP) National Security Conference/Awards 2025, with a theme titled, Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources held at the Ballroom Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In his keynote address read by the Deputy Director (Information and Public Relations Unit), Mr. Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem, the Minister stated that the Federal Government, through the Ministry, has started realizing key initiatives such as the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC), Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database, Community Policing, transparent recruitment of an additional 30,000 Police Officers, and technological advancements to enhance the operational efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force for bolstering national security.
The Minister said a major milestone in intelligence-led policing, the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC), provides a centralized platform for law enforcement agencies to pool, analyse, and disseminate criminal data—enhancing internal operations and collaboration with international partners.
In his words, the upgraded Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database Centre (NPCIDB) has enabled police to document criminals’ data through biometrics of criminals from Divisional Police Stations across the country and digitally forwarded to the NPCIDB located in the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre.
He reiterated the good working relationship among security agencies to curb Illegal Mining, through collaboration by the Nigeria Police Force with the Armed Forces, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)’s Mining Marshals.
According to him,” Security is the foundation upon which all human endeavours are built. It requires inclusiveness, people-centric approaches, and collective efforts to ensure peace, safety, and prosperity. These vital institutional allies are in the national effort to combat illegal mining and restore order in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, and curb the activities of bandits, criminals, kidnappers, and terrorists”.
Gaidam urged all citizens, stakeholders, and media to join hands in supporting the Nigeria Police Force. “We require collective investment in technology, logistics, welfare, and equipment to enhance security. I propose that we procure High-Resolution Drone Surveillance for police commands across the country”. He stressed.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence, General Christopher Musa, represented by the Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Maman, posited that security is the foundation for economic success. When people feel safe, businesses grow, farmers plant with confidence, and investors take bold steps.
He said Nigeria recently increased its crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day, but vandalism and illegal activities still threaten this progress. We must therefore protect what we have built so that our natural wealth becomes prosperity for every Nigerian, not just a few.
According to him, beyond military action, we must focus more on the non-kinetic side of national security, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of the work. This includes good governance, infrastructure, power, communication, and social development.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, was given the award of Excellence as the National Association of Online News Publishers (NAOSNP) Iconic Man of the Year.
