German Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Annett Gunther; Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, and Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo during the visit of the Ambassador to the headquarters of the Ministry of Police Affairs in Abuja.
By Olugbenga Salami
Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam has commended the German government for being the foremost contributor to the advancement of policing services and reforms in Nigeria.
This, Gaidam pointed out while welcoming the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Annett Gunther to the headquarters of the Ministry of Police Affairs in Abuja, stands out Germany as an indispensable ally towards fortifying law enforcement across Nigeria.
The minister, according to a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Bolaji Kazeem, said “the assistance by the German government in the area of reforms, development, and improvement of the Police, has made significant impacts on our organization and the community we serve.”
“Under the distinguished leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Nigerian Government is unwaveringly dedicated to elevating the capabilities and professionalism of the Nigerian police force. Your generosity and dedication to helping us enhance policing capabilities have not gone unnoticed.
“The resources, expertise, and guidance you have shared with us have been invaluable in strengthening our law enforcement efforts and promoting a safer environment for all Nigerian citizens,” he stressed.
Gaidam, therefore, said the meeting created an opportunity to assess and fortify our alliance, notably in the realms of security cooperation, counter-terrorism, and other pivotal dimensions of security.
He said: “The collaboration between the German government and Nigeria in combatting violent extremism, addressing cybercrime, combating illicit financial activities, and upholding human rights holds the utmost significance in today’s global landscape and is a testimony to the strong partnership and friendship that exists between Germany and Nigeria.
“We, therefore, eagerly anticipate the deepening of this partnership in these crucial domains.”
The minister specifically listed the areas of security cooperation between the two countries that could enhance and reform the Nigerian Police Force, NPF as training and capacity building; technology and equipment support; intelligence sharing; Police reforms and institutional strengthening; community engagement programs; counterterrorism cooperation; legal and judicial support, etc.
Earlier, the German Ambassador mentioned the major engagement of the German government in Nigeria as the training of more than 1000 Police trainers who have trained more than thousands of Police personnel in the country and the refurbishment of the training institutions.
Gunther listed other projects the German government is involved in as equipping and expanding communication service and capacity, and provision of mobile barracks for the secondment of Police officers to other parts of the country in conjunction with the United States of America, USA.
She said: “Supporting Police reforms is our major engagement in Nigeria and this year is the 50th anniversary of signing a cooperation agreement with Nigeria. The cooperation in the key sector dates back to the visit of former Chancellor Angelar Merrkel visit during President Buhari’s regime to support the reform process in Nigeria.”
