From Cyril Mbah,Abuja
Nextier, a multi-competency international development and public policy consulting firm based in Abuja, has called for stronger collaboration and trust between the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and local communities to address the country’s evolving security challenges.
The call was made in a statement to mark the International Day of Police Cooperation. Nextier said rising security threats that cut across institutional and national borders demand deeper cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated responses.
According to the firm, effective policing in Nigeria must move beyond traditional law enforcement to include deliberate partnerships between the police and the communities served.
Nextier also referenced the position of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, who has emphasized inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing as critical to building a safer Nigeria.
The organisation said its ongoing engagement with the Nigeria Police Force continues to underscore the need for people-centred approaches to policing and public safety.
A major component of that engagement, Nextier noted, is its support for the development of the National Police Strategic Plan in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat.
The initiative is being funded by the United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP), through the German Federal Foreign Office.
In addition, Nextier said it is strengthening the evidence base for more responsive and accountable policing through two key projects: the Community Safety and Security Perception Study and The Policing Conversation.
The firm explained that both initiatives provide platforms for incorporating citizens’ experiences, perceptions and priorities into national discussions on policing and police reform.
“As we mark this important day, the message is clear: a safer Nigeria requires stronger cooperation between the Nigerian Police Force, other law enforcement agencies, and the communities they serve,” Nextier stated.