Nigeria @ 66 and the Imperative for NPF to Stay Ahead of Faster, Borderless Crime

Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary with a critical need for its policing architecture to stay ahead of evolving crime. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Frank Mba (Rtd) warns that crime has become more organized, technologically driven, financially sophisticated, and increasingly borderless. This transformation, attributed to globalisation and technological advancement, has opened new avenues for criminals, changing the nature of offences committed and their reach.

Traditionally, Nigerian crime was confined to physical spaces like robbery, burglary, and assault. However, criminal activities have expanded beyond these traditional methods, involving kidnapping, terrorism, cultism, organised crime, and cyber-enabled offences. Mba emphasizes that criminality is now virtual, contactless, and borderless, making it difficult for conventional policing methods to keep up.

While the Nigeria Police Force has responded to the changing security environment by increasing investments in technology, international cooperation, and specialised training, Mba believes that these efforts may not be sufficient if the pace of adaptation is not accelerated. He stresses that the criminals are not waiting for the police to improve; they are constantly evolving their methods and exploiting new technologies.

Mba's assessment highlights the crucial need for Nigeria to rethink its policing architecture, emphasizing stronger technological investment, intelligence sharing, specialised training, digital forensics, and international cooperation. The challenge lies in ensuring that the police not only respond to new crimes as they emerge but also have the capabilities to understand and confront the ever-changing criminal methods as they develop.