The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has called for allocation of more resources to equip and train law enforcement agencies.
The IGP also suggested the implementation of inclusive community policing programmes to build trust and encourage collaboration, adding that effective policing is crucial for ensuring peace, security, and the overall well-being of Nigeria.
The police chief said this in Ilorin, Kwara State at the maiden distinguished alumni public lecture of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies (CPSS) of Al-Himah University.
Egbetokun said that all stakeholders have critical roles to play in achieving a secure environment.
He stressed the need for collaboration among all relevant stakeholders, which include police, government institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations and the media to ensure a holistic approach to policing.
He said that active participation of the public, traditional and religious institutions and the media in crime prevention and reporting can create a more robust security framework.
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“Nigeria can achieve lasting peace and stability, improving the overall safety and quality of life for its citizens, by addressing the challenges impending effective policing.
“Ultimately, a reformed and empowered police force, backed by a supportive network of stakeholders, can contribute to building a more secure and just society for all Nigerians.
“However, we recognise that overcoming our challenges requires comprehensive reforms, increased funding, the adoption of modern policing techniques to enhance the capabilities of the police and foster greater public trust and mobilising public support for the police,” he said.
The IGP, an alumnus of Al-Hikmah University, recommended that the police should be removed from the envelope budget system which restricts the police to funding only ongoing projects.
He called for prioritising of continuous training, especially in areas like cybercrime and human rights to improve police effectiveness.
The police boss called for the decentralisation of the force to allow state to operate state-level police department with clearly defined roles and oversight mechanisms.
Earlier the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Noah Yusuf said the topic of the lecture was carefully selected and would go a long way to highlight collaborative efforts among stakeholders in intelligence gathering and effective policing to ensure a crime-free, peaceful and prosperous society.