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Building a Police Force That Works for All Nigerians, Our Priority — PRS

Published

4 weeks ago

September 10, 2025

Joel Ajayi

In its commitment to national development and public trust, the Police Reform Secretariat (PRS) is championing efforts to build a modern, inclusive, and accountable police system that truly serves the needs of all Nigerians.

Through stakeholder engagement, institutional reform, and community-focused strategies, the PRS aims to reposition the Nigeria Police Force as a professional and people-centred institution, capable of protecting rights, upholding justice, and fostering nationwide security.

At the heart of this initiative is the Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Forum on National Police Reform, held on Tuesday in Abuja, where key stakeholders from across the country gathered to deliberate on sustainable reforms that can reposition the Nigeria Police Force for national development and improved public trust.

The Police Service Reform (PSR) initiative, spearheaded by the PRS, is a vital and timely effort designed to restructure the Nigeria Police Force into a more professional, accountable, and people-oriented institution. These reforms are anchored on three critical pillars: Professionalism, Accountabilityand People-Oriented Policing.
Also, the forum marks a significant step in the ongoing national dialogue to create a reformed police structure that not only enforces the law but also earns the trust, confidence, and cooperation of the communities it serves.

Speaking at the event, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was represented by AIG M. Gumel, reiterated the importance of inclusive reform. He described the forum as an essential platform to drive meaningful change, saying: “Today’s gathering is not just another meeting. It is a collective call to action. Across Nigeria, communities are demanding a policy and policing system that is inclusive, accountable, professional, and people-centred. We are being asked to imagine — and help build a system that is not merely an institution on paper, but a trusted partner in safeguarding rights and fostering safe, equitable communities.”

He stressed that true reform must be bottom-up, shaped by the diverse voices of Nigerians — from security agencies to civil society, from traditional rulers to youth groups, and from policymakers to everyday citizens.

“As we begin our deliberations today,” he said, “let us be guided by three foundational principles: Inclusivity – Every Nigerian, especially the marginalised, must see themselves in the system that governs them.

Accountability – Policy is a public trust, and transparency must define our actions, Innovation – We must embrace forward-thinking, data-driven approaches that match today’s security realities.”

On behalf of the police and the organising committee, the IGP’s representative declared the forum open, urging all participants to engage in honest, respectful, and action-oriented dialogue.

Speaking during the forum, the Coordinator of the PRS Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, emphasized that the gathering was convened to harness diverse perspectives and collective wisdom to drive meaningful and inclusive reforms.

“This platform allows for open dialogue among stakeholders to shape a reform agenda that reflects the needs of the people and the realities on the ground. We aim to develop a police system that works for all Nigerians.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), expressed his gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the German Government, and other development partners for their unwavering support in shaping a transformative police reform agenda.

“We appreciate our partners for their technical and financial support, and for championing the reform policy review. This effort is about building a police service that is truly in service of the Nigerian people,” DIG Argungu stated.

Delivering a goodwill message, Mr. Christoph Sehotte, representative of the German Embassy, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s police reform agenda.
“Police reform is a cornerstone of strong democracy, the rule of law, and public safety. Germany is proud to support this critical process — not only through funding, but through practical and inclusive interventions that deliver real impact,” Sehotte stated.

He highlighted Germany’s efforts in facilitating trainings and workshops to build police capacity, foster gender equality, and promote community policing approaches that bring the police closer to the people and strengthen public trust.

“We are proud of our successful collaboration with implementing partners such as the UNDP, the GS Foundation, and the CLEEN Foundation. Together, we’ve translated our support into concrete actions and visible results on the ground,” he added.

Mr. Sehotte also emphasised the strategic role of the Police Reform Secretariat, describing it as both a coordination hub and a potential think-tank for future policy development.
“Strengthening the Secretariat is essential for the long-term success of police reform in Nigeria. This forum is an important milestone a moment to reflect on progress and shape the next steps toward a modern, accountable, and people-centred police service.”

He concluded by affirming Germany’s long-term commitment to the process and urged all stakeholders — civil society, government, international partners, and communities — to work together to build a police system that serves the people, supports justice, and promotes peace and stability in Nigeria.

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Tin City Warms Up for President Tinubu as North Central Embraces Renewed Hope

Published

24 hours ago

October 4, 2025

The Gleamer

By Sunday Dare

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu berths on the plains and rolling hills that dominate the Jos landscape tomorrow, he will meet a people resourceful, friendly and resilient but weighed down by conflict, yet unbowed by adversity.

So, tommorrow, national attention turns to the Plateau- a locale laden with history and rich with potential. From the tin mines that gave the city of Jos its name, to the Irish potato, strawberry farms and beetroot plantations that dot its landscape, Jos remains a land of promise—truly the Home of Peace and Tourism.

Jos is also deeply woven into Nigeria’s political history. Plateau is home to towering figures such as Generals JD Gomwalk, Yakubu Gowon, John Shagaya, Joshua Dogoyaro, and Jerry Useni. Solomon Lar, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and numerous others also stand tall in the annals Plateau political history.

Jos was also the rallying ground of the famed Langtang Mafia—a group of influential military officers from Langtang in Plateau State who, at the height of their power, played a significant role in Nigeria’s political and military affairs.

The story of Jos is both exciting and excruciating. The city lost its innocence some two and a half decades ago, when the popular Terminus Market was reduced to rubble through acts of arson and looting.

Thus at the turn of the millennium by 2001, Jos—and by extension, Plateau—was thrown into a cycle of unending conflict. Ethnic tensions, clothed in religious garb, tore through the city and spread across the state, dragging Jos into an abyss of violence, almost of Kigali proportions. Peace gave way to war, and tourism jaunts became undertakings to the undertaker.

Yet Jos has never surrendered. Every time it is written off, it rises again—scarred, but resilient. With its multi-ethnic, multi-religious fabric, the Plateau continues to trudge on in pursuit of peace, development, and egalitarian ideals.

It was here, in Jos, that Nigeria’s democratic resurgence was birthed. The historic SDP convention, where late General Shehu Yar’Adua and Chief Moshood Abiola held sway, took place in this city. Jos gave political life to Abiola, our hero of democracy in 1992

Now, thirty three years later, another hero of democracy and of the June 12 struggle returns to the Plateau. President Tinubu’s return and visit to Plateau State is not just to honor the transition to glory of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, the mother of the APC National Chairman.

It is a visit that carries deeper meaning—one of empathy, solidarity, and renewed hope for a people who have endured decades of turmoil. It is a mission to preach peace, console the bereaved, bind wounds, and assure Plateau of its central place in the Nigerian project.

Mr President comes not just to mourn, but to reconnect. He comes to parley with the North Central, to commiserate with a people who have suffered, and to extend the hand of renewed hope. That Renewed Hope is laying a solid foundation as evidenced by Naira at N1,455 per dollar, rising Foreign Reserves at $43bn, Trade surplus heading for N25tr. Revenues up 411% and Inflation down to about 20 per cent. Over 600,000 students benefiting from NELFUND.

This visit is more than ceremonial. It is a journey into the very soul of a people who have known pain, yet remain resilient; a land scarred by conflict, yet still brimming with hope and promise. As the Tin City opens its arms, Jos will not just receive the President—it will receive a message of solidarity, healing, and renewal.

Tomorrow is about remembering the glorious past, confronting the present, and charting a path to a peaceful and prosperous Plateau within a united Nigeria. With President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Jos once again stands at the intersection of history and destiny.

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