Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of State for Police Affairs, has reached out to the European Union (EU) for technical support to enhance the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and align it with global standards and best practices.

This request was made during a meeting held at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, where the EU delegation was led by European Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized the need for technical support and collaboration in areas such as addressing policy gaps and capacity building, all aimed at improving the performance of the Nigerian Police Force.

She highlighted that the Renewed Hope Agenda, with its focus on peace and security as one of its components, necessitates close cooperation between the ministry and the EU in the realms of reforms, capacity building, and community policing to combat transnational crimes effectively.

The minister underlined the importance of community-based policing, intelligence-led initiatives, and technology-driven approaches, stating that these are essential components of modern police forces worldwide.

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She also mentioned the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPO) as having significant expertise in this field, and emphasized that a collaborative effort between the ministry and EUROPO would yield substantial results.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated, “I am seeking every support that can be for the ministry to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda, which has policing components, and none of them can work without it.

We are harmonizing various police reforms that are in existence, analyzing why they are not fully implemented, and coming up with what we can achieve within two to three years.”

European Ambassador Samuela Isopi affirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigerian agencies working to enhance policing coordination through training and capacity building.

She highlighted the EU’s ongoing collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, particularly in areas related to human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

Isopi also mentioned the forthcoming signing of a new migration program by the EU and stressed its importance as a tool for addressing various issues, including gender-based violence.

She expressed the EU’s willingness to cooperate with the Nigerian Ministry of Police Affairs to tackle these challenges effectively.