The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) says the Nigeria Police Force has rolled out fresh strategies to tackling cybercrime, kidnapping and other emerging security threats across the country.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Simeon Akpanudom, in charge of FCID Annex Lagos, stated this on Thursday while briefing journalists at the FCID headquarters in Lagos.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the force’s investigative, digital and forensic capabilities.

Answering questions from journalists, the AIG said that the police were enhancing collaboration with the judiciary to ensure the effective prosecution of criminal cases and improve the administration of justice.

He said several cases were already before the courts, adding that the force was leveraging technology and digital processes to improve criminal investigations and case management.

“We have a very robust relationship with the judiciary, and that collaboration is critical to ensuring that suspects are prosecuted in accordance with relevant laws,” he said.

The AIG said the police had also intensified efforts to tackle cybercrime through specialised training and capacity building for officers involved in digital investigations.

He disclosed that personnel had undergone training in cryptocurrency tracing and other advanced cybercrime investigation techniques.

According to him, the force’s National Cybercrime Centre and other specialised units continued to play key roles in combating technology-driven crimes.

“We have personnel trained to deal with digital crimes and cybercrimes. We also enjoy tremendous support from partner agencies and allied countries in training our personnel.

“We will continue to strengthen our capacity to address emerging digital crimes and other security challenges,” he said.

On kidnapping and other violent crimes, Mr Akpanudom acknowledged that the menace remained a major security concern but assured Nigerians that the police were not relenting in their efforts to curb criminal activities.

He said the force was constantly reviewing its strategies and working with relevant stakeholders to improve security nationwide.

“The police are not resting. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the tide is stemmed and that criminal elements are denied the space to operate,” he said.

The FCID boss also underscored the importance of community policing, describing collaboration between residents and security agencies as vital to effective crime prevention and detection.

He commended host communities for their support and law-abiding conduct, noting that the police would continue to engage residents to identify and address security concerns within their localities.

Mr Akpanudom further highlighted the force’s growing forensic capacity, saying investments in forensic laboratories and specialised training had significantly improved investigative outcomes.

According to him, the police forensic laboratory remains one of the most advanced in the country and continues to support evidence-based investigations and prosecutions.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to adopting global best practices and strengthening its capacity to respond to evolving security threats.

“We have highly trained experts, and we will continue to build on our capacity while learning from international best practices to improve policing and public safety,” he said. 

(NAN)