KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF POLICE AFFAIRS, SENATOR IBRAHIM GAIDAM CON AT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ONLINE SECURITY NEWS PUBLISHERS (NAOSNP) AT THE BALLROOM, ORIENTAL HOTEL, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS, ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025
Theme: Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources: Police’s Call to Serve
Honorable Minister of Police Affairs
Distinguished guests, esteemed members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), ladies, and gentlemen, gentlemen of the press, I am honored to address this gathering.
2. Security is the foundation upon which all human endeavors are built. It requires inclusiveness, people-centric approaches, and collective efforts to ensure peace, safety, and prosperity.
3. Challenges Facing Nigeria’s Security
Nigeria faces numerous security challenges, including:- Policing a large population of 200 million people across a vast landmass- Limited resources and inadequate access to technology- Ungoverned spaces and a lack of harmonized data- Rising crimes, such as illegal mining, kidnapping, and banditry
4. The Ministry of Police Affairs remains committed to implementing sustainable policies and programs to reform, re-equip, and retrain the Nigeria Police Force.
We have:- Fostered collaboration between security agencies to combat illegal mining- Promoted information sharing through the West African Information System (WAPIS) and Interpol i 24/7- Invested in surveillance systems, drones, and communication technologies
5. Key Initiatives
We have launched several key initiatives, including:- The National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC)- The Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database- Community Policing- Transparent recruitment of additional police officers- Technological advancements to enhance operational efficiency
6. It is gratifying to inform you all that the Federal Government, through my 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.
7. A major milestone in intelligence-led policing, the NCDFC provides a centralized platform for law enforcement agencies to pool, analyze, and disseminate criminal data—enhancing internal operations and collaboration with international partners.
8. 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.
9. A typical example is the good working relationship 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. 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 and kidnappers.
10. I urge 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.
11. The Ministry of Police Affairs remains committed to repositioning the Nigeria Police Force through data-driven strategies, inter-agency synergy, and international cooperation. Together, we can build a safer, stronger Nigeria.Thank you all for your attention.