The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Mr. Mohammed Sheidu, has announced plans to implement significant reforms aimed at restoring the Nigerian police force to global standards.
Speaking at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos State, during an ongoing nationwide needs assessment tour, Sheidu emphasized the importance of addressing deficiencies in police facilities to enhance the efficiency of law enforcement across the country.
The tour, which continued on Tuesday, focuses on evaluating the current state of police training and medical infrastructure, while identifying areas for immediate intervention. Sheidu pointed out critical challenges, including inadequate lighting, unreliable water supply, and the need for comprehensive rehabilitation of police facilities. “We promise Nigerians and the police that, in a short time, we will intervene and implement changes that will restore the police force to world standards,” Sheidu stated. He further highlighted the role of accountability and transparency in the fund’s activities, ensuring that every project is subject to oversight and monitoring.
Sheidu also conducted inspections of police recruits undergoing training in the southern region of Nigeria. During his visit to the Police College dormitory and hostel facilities, which were found to be in poor condition, he stressed the urgent need for intervention to improve living conditions for recruits. “One of the things we stand for is integrity and accountability.
I didn’t come here alone; I am here with members of the National Assembly to ensure oversight,” Sheidu remarked, emphasizing that a monitoring and evaluation team will track each project from beginning to end. Sheidu, who spent part of his childhood at the college grounds as his father was a commander there in the 1980s, expressed a personal commitment to revitalizing the institution. “It’s important to me that we bring the Police College to world standards,” he said.
Sheidu also reaffirmed the NPTF’s commitment to equipping police officers with the skills necessary to tackle contemporary challenges. Speaking at the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, where officers are undergoing training, he highlighted the importance of intelligence-led policing, which emphasizes proactive and information-driven law enforcement methods.
“This training will enable our officers to utilise intelligence to prevent crime, reduce violence, and improve overall public safety,” Sheidu said, commending officers for their dedication to enhancing their skills for the benefit of national security.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Mr. Makki Yallema, also praised the efforts of the Police College management. Yallema stated that the inspection provided valuable insights that would aid in supporting future budget proposals for the NPTF. “This visit gives us the insight needed to support the budget proposals that the NPTF will submit,” he added.
The Commandant of the Police College, Mr. Fasuba Akinyele, who led the delegation during the inspection, outlined some of the facility’s pressing challenges. Akinyele pointed out that inadequate lighting and insufficient solar power during the rainy season were major obstacles to a consistent water supply for recruits.
He appealed for enhanced solar energy support to ensure a steady flow of water, which is crucial for maintaining hygiene standards during training. Akinyele revealed that approximately 420 recruits from the southern parts of Nigeria were currently undergoing training at the college, with an additional 610 trainees enrolled in various specialties. He called for urgent intervention to address the facility’s challenges and improve training conditions.
