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By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has intensified efforts to strengthen its counter-terrorism investigation capabilities following the successful completion of a specialised United Nations-backed training programme by a team of its officers in Morocco.

The three-week Train-the-Trainer Programme, held in Rabat from July 13 to July 31, 2026, was designed to enhance intelligence-led investigations and improve the ability of participating law enforcement agencies to identify, disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks. The programme brought together security personnel from Nigeria, Kenya and Burkina Faso.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the training was organised by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) under its Global Counter-Terrorism Investigations Programme in collaboration with Al Akhawayn University, Morocco.

The statement disclosed that a 10-member Nigerian delegation, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Favour Fadawa of the Nigeria Police Academy, participated in the intensive programme. The training focused on intelligence gathering, identification of terrorist networks, dismantling of criminal organisations, preservation of admissible evidence and the conduct of investigations in compliance with international best practices and the rule of law.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, described the programme as timely, noting that security agencies across the world are increasingly confronted with sophisticated terrorist threats and transnational organised crime. He said the knowledge and skills acquired by the officers would significantly strengthen the Force’s investigative capacity and intelligence-driven policing operations.

The police chief directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Training and Development, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Police Academy to incorporate the training modules into the Force’s curriculum to ensure that more officers benefit from the specialised knowledge acquired during the programme.

IGP Disu also revealed that plans to commence an Executive Master’s Programme at the Nigeria Police Academy have reached an advanced stage following significant progress in the institution’s accreditation process. He expressed confidence that the initiative would further enhance the professional development of officers and strengthen the Force’s capacity to address emerging security challenges.

The Nigeria Police Force expressed appreciation to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Al Akhawayn University, the Government of Morocco and other participating countries for their support and collaboration in the successful execution of the programme.

The Force noted that the training is expected to bolster its capacity to combat terrorism, violent extremism and other forms of transnational organised crime through intelligence-led policing, strategic investigations and enhanced inter-agency cooperation. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to build a modern, professional and highly skilled law enforcement institution capable of effectively responding to evolving security threats.