Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has announced a bold initiative to reduce crime rates in Nigeria by 50% by the year 2025.
This directive was shared during the 5th Edition of the Annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers held in Abeokuta on Monday, themed “Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing.”
The three-day conference, running from February 24 to 26, has attracted over 1,000 senior police officers from across the country. Egbetokun emphasized that the theme resonates with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for national security, underlining the need for a modern, intelligence-driven police force capable of proactively addressing emerging threats.
“The theme highlights the President’s plan to build a professionally competent, intelligence-driven police force capable of addressing emerging threats proactively,” Egbetokun stated.
He also noted that enhanced collaboration with the military and other security agencies is already producing significant outcomes in the fight against organized crime.
Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, also spoke at the event, urging the Federal Government to conduct regular evaluations and vetting of police officers.
“A regular and comprehensive health check, including psychiatric assessments, must not be overlooked,” he asserted. He acknowledged the police’s efforts to bolster security, stating, “However, Nigerians do not always appreciate the police force enough. As it stands, only 370,000 officers are responsible for the security of over 230 million people.”
Ebie pledged the commission’s support for the police in their efforts to enhance security nationwide. Meanwhile, a senior police officer, speaking anonymously to NAN, indicated that many commands are actively implementing the directive aimed at achieving the ambitious crime reduction goal. “This is why the country is witnessing a higher rate of prosecutions in the courts,” he noted.
The comprehensive plan outlined by the Inspector-General aims to foster a safer environment as Nigeria grapples with security challenges ahead of the 2025 target.
