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The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has advanced efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through a proposed trilateral security partnership involving Nigeria, the United States and Italy, with plans for specialised training for up to 5,000 police personnel.
The initiative, announced in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, followed IGP Disu’s working visit to Italy, where he engaged Italian law enforcement authorities on strategies to improve Nigeria’s response to terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking and other security threats.
The proposed training programme will focus on counter-insurgency operations, intelligence-led policing, tactical operations, cybercrime, digital forensics, explosives detection, financial investigations and asset tracing, among other specialised areas.
During the visit, Disu also met with the Commander General of the Italian Carabinieri, Lieutenant-General Salvatore Luongo, to explore opportunities for technical assistance, institutional cooperation and capacity development.
At the Carabinieri Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units in Vicenza, the Nigerian delegation assessed training facilities and discussed proposed leadership courses for 40 senior officers and 100 junior commanders, alongside support for Police Mobile Force training schools in Gwoza and Ila-Orangun.
The discussions also covered the development of a national stability policing doctrine, improved operational procedures, forensic capabilities, canine operations and other specialised policing initiatives.
To formalise the proposed cooperation, the IGP called for a Memorandum of Understanding covering training, technology transfer and operational doctrine, while inviting a Carabinieri assessment team to Abuja to identify priority areas for implementation.
The Nigeria Police Force says the partnership is aimed at improving operational readiness, strengthening investigative capabilities and building a more professional and responsive police institution capable of protecting lives and property.
