IGP Disu Secures Offer of Specialised Training for 5,000 Police Officers During Italy Visit
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has advanced efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security through a proposed trilateral cooperation framework involving Nigeria, the United States and Italy, with focus on specialised training, counter-insurgency, intelligence-led operations and institutional development.
During a working visit to Italy, IGP Disu engaged Italian law enforcement authorities on ways to leverage international expertise, advanced training and technology to improve the Nigeria Police Force’s response to terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking and other security threats.
A major outcome of the visit was an offer to provide specialised training for up to 5,000 police personnel, with priority given to counter-insurgency operations and security operations in difficult rural and forested areas.
The proposed training would cover tactical operations, intelligence-led patrols, critical infrastructure protection, digital and scientific forensics, cybercrime, explosives detection, financial investigations, asset tracing and anti-extortion techniques.
The training would also extend beyond the Police Mobile Force (PMF) to other relevant tactical and specialised units, including explosive ordnance disposal and forensic teams.
At a meeting with the Commander General of the Italian Carabinieri, Lieutenant-General Salvatore Luongo, the IGP discussed opportunities for technical assistance, training and institutional cooperation.
The Nigerian delegation also visited the Carabinieri Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU) in Vicenza, where it assessed training facilities and explored ways to adapt specialised programmes to Nigeria’s security needs.
Proposed initiatives included command courses for 40 senior officers, leadership training for 100 junior commanders and the deployment of a mobile assistance team to support PMF training schools in Gwoza and Ila-Orangun.
The delegation also sought support for developing a national stability policing doctrine and standard operating procedures to improve operational consistency, professional standards and civilian protection, particularly in communities recovering from conflict.
Other areas of proposed cooperation included canine operations, forensic science and mounted policing, including horse breeding and local capacity development to support public order management and other police duties.
To move the initiatives forward, IGP Disu proposed a Memorandum of Understanding covering training, technology transfer and operational doctrine. He also invited a Carabinieri assessment team to Abuja to identify priority needs and develop practical implementation arrangements.
The IGP reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to international partnerships that strengthen operational readiness, improve investigative capabilities and enhance the protection of lives and property.
The Nigeria Police Force said it would continue engaging relevant partners to advance the proposals in line with the country’s security priorities and efforts to build a more capable, professional and responsive police institution.
IGP Disu Secures Offer of Specialised Training for 5,000 Police Officers During Italy Visit