The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed investigators and heads of investigative units across the country to place greater emphasis on the accurate documentation and management of suspects’ information, describing reliable data as a critical component of modern policing and criminal investigations.
Disu made the call during the opening of a one-day Crime and Incident Database Impact Sensitisation Workshop organised by the Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The workshop focused on strengthening the implementation of the Suspects’ Information Capturing Process under the Nigeria Police Force Crime and Incident Database (NPF-ICD) Centre Project, an initiative designed to improve intelligence gathering, crime analysis, investigative efficiency and crime prevention efforts nationwide.
Addressing participants drawn from various commands and formations, the police chief stressed that effective policing in the modern era increasingly depends on the availability of accurate, timely and actionable information.
According to him, law enforcement agencies can no longer rely solely on traditional investigative techniques in addressing increasingly sophisticated criminal activities.
Disu described the Crime and Incident Database Centre as a strategic policing tool capable of transforming the way criminal investigations are conducted across the country.
He noted that the database system has the potential to enhance investigative outcomes by enabling law enforcement officers to identify crime patterns, track repeat offenders, connect criminal activities across different jurisdictions and support evidence-based decision-making.
The IGP further explained that a well-maintained database would strengthen intelligence-led policing, improve inter-agency cooperation and provide security agencies with the information required to respond proactively to emerging threats.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to modernising the Nigeria Police Force, Disu said technology, innovation and intelligence-driven strategies would remain central to ongoing policing reforms.
He therefore directed all commands and formations to ensure strict compliance with established procedures for capturing and managing suspects’ information, stressing that consistency and accuracy are essential to the success of the initiative.
In a statement issued after the event, the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, said the IGP encouraged participants to actively contribute during the workshop and explore practical approaches to improving operational effectiveness.
According to the statement, the police chief urged attendees to develop solutions that would strengthen the Force’s crime management framework and maximise the benefits of the Crime and Incident Database Centre Project.
The workshop forms part of broader efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to integrate technology into law enforcement operations and enhance the quality of service delivery across the country.
Police authorities said the Force remained committed to leveraging digital tools, innovation and intelligence-led policing to improve public safety, strengthen accountability and build a more professional and citizen-focused institution.
The initiative is also expected to support more effective criminal investigations, improve information sharing among security agencies and contribute to a safer environment through data-driven policing strategies.
