Minister Gaidam Seeks European Union’s Support for Police Reforms in Nigeria

Minister Gaidam Seeks European Union’s Support for Police Reforms in Nigeria  

The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has called on the European Union (EU) to support Nigeria’s ongoing police reform efforts. He emphasized the Federal Government's commitment to building a more professional, accountable, and community-oriented police force.  

This appeal was made during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the EU Embassy, led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, to the headquarters of the Ministry of Police Affairs in Abuja.  

According to a statement by the Deputy Director of Information & Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the Minister stressed that the EU’s expertise, resources, and experience in security governance could significantly enhance Nigeria’s law enforcement capabilities.  

Key Areas of Police Reform 

Addressing the delegation, Gaidam outlined the key areas of Nigeria’s police reform initiative, which include:  

- Enhanced training for officers to improve professionalism and service delivery.  

- Better resource allocation to equip the force with modern tools and infrastructure.  

- Strengthening oversight mechanisms to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust in the Nigerian Police Force.  

The Minister also acknowledged the EU’s past contributions to regional security efforts, particularly through its support for the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS). This INTERPOL-backed initiative has improved electronic police information-sharing across West African nations, aiding the fight against transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and terrorism.  

Securing Continued EU Funding for Security Initiatives 

Gaidam noted that both the EU and ECOWAS have been instrumental in ensuring the full rollout of WAPIS across ECOWAS countries and Mauritania. Funding for the initiative, which began in November 2017, has been extended to May 2025.  

However, given the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria and the wider West African region, he emphasized the need for sustained EU funding to ensure the full implementation and long-term sustainability of WAPIS.  

“Additional technical assistance and capacity-building support will further enhance Nigeria’s law enforcement capabilities and ensure that we maximize the impact of this crucial initiative,” Gaidam stated.  

EU’s Commitment to Strengthening Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System 

In response, Ambassador Gautier Mignot reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Police Affairs as a key partner in promoting shared values such as the rule of law, human rights, and democracy. He highlighted the crucial role of the police in upholding these values.  

The Ambassador stressed that Nigeria’s security and stability are of great interest to the EU, especially as the world faces evolving security threats. He noted that police reforms, along with improvements in the criminal justice system, efforts to combat gender-based violence, and the fight against human trafficking, are critical areas of focus.  

“We are addressing global migration issues and the challenges posed by powerful criminal networks. It is essential that we work together to **dismantle these networks and protect victims,” he said.  

The discussions between the Nigerian government and the EU signal a stronger partnership in addressing security challenges and ensuring that the Nigerian Police Force is better equipped to serve the public effectively.