In a recent turn of events, the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, has recently revealed his observations saying that he has observed that law enforcement agencies do not sharing classified information and intelligence among themselves.
According to Mr. Gaidam, development like this could hinder the efforts to reduce or eradicate criminal activities in the country.
However, Mr. Gaidam said this in Abuja on Tuesday, October 29, at a 3-day workshop aimed at fostering inter-agency collaboration on information sharing among law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
Recall Niger Delta Connect reported, there have been clashes among different security agencies, with the physical combat between some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and some officers of NSCDC in Osogbo, Osun State capital, particularly last week.
However, there was an alleged assault by police operatives on an NSCDC officer during his guard duty, a situation that has sparked significant public attention and raised concerns about inter-agency relations within the state.
The incident which occurred last Wednesday in Abere community, where an NSCDC officer, identified simply as Owoeye, was reportedly assaulted and subsequently detained by the police while stationed at an estate.
Furthermore, Mr. Gaidam directed the agencies, which had all their representatives in attendance, to abandon the independent approach. While addressing them, He also urged that they prioritise the sharing of classified information and intelligence to effectively combat insecurity.
Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Gaidam clearly stated that: “On assumption of office in August 2023, I observed that there was no adequate collaboration among the law enforcement agencies as they all operate independently in the area of information sharing.
“There is an urgent need for all the law enforcement agencies to synergise on the future of our security architecture with all the required speed and political will," the Minister added.
“With the rising security challenges and threats in the country, there is no better time than now to build on strengthening inter-agency collaboration through sharing of vital intelligence and classified information to curb the menace,” he remarked.
However, the former governor of Yobe State also called for a system similar to that of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) in Nigeria.
Still at The 3-day seminar, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also called for more collaboration among the law enforcement agencies in the country.
On the other hand, Egbetokun, who was represented by Dasuki Galadanchi, a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, further stated that information sharing among law enforcement agencies would be helpful in the quick identification of threat patterns as well as the criminal syndicate.
