By Bukola Olamona

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, commissioned the newly established Nigeria Police Intelligence School located in Share, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing the development as a strategic move to bolster the Force’s intelligence capabilities.

The event, held at the Al-Hikmah University campus in Share, signalled a renewed commitment by the Nigeria Police Force to reposition its personnel for contemporary security challenges through enhanced training and intelligence gathering.

According to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the institution is a key component of the IGP’s reform agenda, aimed at professionalising police operations and strengthening the foundation of intelligence-led policing.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by top echelon of the Force, including Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department, DIG Benjamin Okolo, and his counterpart in charge of Logistics, DIG Adebola Hamzat.

Also in attendance was the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi.

Speaking on behalf of the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abubakar Bata, commended the IGP for siting what he described as a “game-changing institution” in the state.

Bata expressed optimism that the facility would significantly enhance the operational efficiency of security agencies, particularly in the areas of intelligence collection, analysis, and dissemination.

“This school is not just a structure — it is a statement of intent. It will serve as a training hub for officers across security agencies, focusing on intelligence analysis, cybercrime, forensics, and counter-terrorism strategies,” he remarked.

IGP Egbetokun, in his address, appreciated the support of the host community and disclosed that the school would begin full operations immediately. He emphasised that the institution is part of the Force’s broader strategy to deepen community-based and intelligence-driven policing models.

The police chief reiterated the need for continuous training, multi-agency collaboration, and adoption of modern technology in security operations, noting that the challenges of insecurity demand a collective response.

“No single agency can do it alone. We need the support of academic institutions, communities, and every Nigerian,” he stated.

Delivering a keynote lecture titled “Effective Policing of Nigeria for Sustainable Peace and Development: Role of Stakeholders,” the IGP stressed that national security transcends the use of firearms and hardware, highlighting the role of economic, environmental, food, and human security as integral components of the nation’s safety framework.

He further called on Nigerians to embrace their roles as stakeholders in ensuring public safety by deploying tools such as CCTV and modern surveillance technologies to complement police efforts.

“The era of waiting for the police to do it all is gone. We must all get involved,” Egbetokun said, urging stakeholders to view security as a shared responsibility critical to the country’s peace and development.