Nigeria Police Plans to Establish Six New Detective Colleges Across Geopolitical Zones

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun, has revealed plans by the Nigeria Police Force to establish six new Detective Colleges across the country’s six geopolitical zones. This initiative aims to enhance the professionalism and standardization of criminal investigations in Nigeria.

Egbetokun made the announcement during the opening of a workshop focused on improving professionalism and standardizing criminal investigation procedures. The workshop, organized for heads of police investigative and intelligence units, took place on Monday in Abuja.

The I-G emphasized that the establishment of the colleges is a response to the growing demand for specialized training in criminal investigations. These colleges, according to Egbetokun, will serve as centers of excellence, offering comprehensive training programs for both police officers and private detectives.

He stated that the expansion of detective training facilities would not only increase access to high-quality education in criminal investigation but also contribute significantly to the professionalization of investigative services in Nigeria. Additionally, this initiative will strengthen collaboration between public law enforcement agencies and private security providers, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

As part of the broader reforms, Egbetokun also announced the creation of a new unit at the Force Headquarters. This unit will oversee the implementation of the reforms, develop strategies for the mobilization and demobilization of detectives, and ensure continuous professional development. The unit will also be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of professionalism across all investigative units.

The I-G further outlined that officers in the Intelligence Department would be required to undergo specialized training. Officers assigned to intelligence roles must complete the basic intelligence training program at the Intelligence School in Share, Kwara State. Like their counterparts in the Criminal Investigation Department, their deployments will follow a structured system of mobilization and demobilization to ensure that only well-trained personnel occupy sensitive intelligence positions.

Egbetokun concluded that these measures are designed to ensure that the police force’s intelligence operations are staffed by officers with the necessary expertise to effectively gather, analyze, and act on intelligence in a professional manner.

This initiative is expected to elevate the standard of police training in Nigeria, contributing to more efficient law enforcement and a more professional criminal justice system.