The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has secured an offer of specialised training for up to 5,000 police personnel under a proposed security cooperation framework involving Nigeria, the United States and Italy.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), particularly in tackling terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking and other security threats across the country.

The proposed training, which emerged from Disu’s working visit to Italy, will focus on counter-insurgency operations, intelligence-led policing and effective security operations in difficult rural and forested terrains.

The training programme is expected to cover tactical operations, intelligence-led patrols, critical infrastructure protection, digital and scientific forensics, cybercrime, explosives detection, financial investigations, asset tracing and anti-extortion techniques.

It will also extend beyond the Police Mobile Force (PMF) to other specialised units, including explosive ordnance disposal and forensic teams.

Disu made the move during engagements with Italian law enforcement authorities as part of efforts to leverage international expertise, advanced technology and institutional cooperation to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Disu, during a meeting with the Commander General of the Italian Carabinieri, Lieutenant-General Salvatore Luongo, explored opportunities for technical assistance, specialised training and institutional development.

At the Carabinieri Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU) in Vicenza, the Nigerian delegation assessed training facilities and discussed how specialised programmes could be adapted to the country’s security needs.

The proposed initiatives include command courses for 40 senior police 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 statement added that the delegation also sought assistance in 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 explored during the visit include canine operations, forensic science and mounted policing, with discussions on horse breeding and local capacity development to support public order management and other appropriate police duties.

To ensure the implementation of the proposed initiatives, the IGP proposed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering specialised training, technology transfer and operational doctrine.

He also invited a Carabinieri assessment team to Abuja to identify priority areas of need and develop practical implementation arrangements.

Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to international partnerships that would strengthen operational readiness, improve investigative capacity, and enhance the protection of lives and property.

The Force said it would continue to engage relevant international partners to advance the proposals in line with Nigeria’s security priorities and efforts to build a more professional, capable and responsive police institution. (The Nation)