The global security environment is characterised by volatility, uncertainty, and ambiguity with serious consequences for internal security of nation States. This has compelled many countries including Nigeria to strengthen their internal security framework to make it more responsive enough to contemporary security challenges such as Boko – Haram insurgency, farmer-herders conflicts, cultism, kidnapping, banditry and cattle – rustling among others.
There have been numerous efforts by the Police hierarchy at addressing the security challenges in the country. Under the focused and astute leadership of our Inspector General of Police – IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Phd, NPM, significant structure in combating threats that undermine economic stability such as Banditry, Terrorism, Kidnapping and other violent crimes have been recorded. His strategic directives have bolstered our capabilities and enhanced our proactive intelligence driven approach to Policing. Thus, ensuring a stable and secure atmosphere for business to thrive.
The Role of the Police in Making Nigeria a Haven for both Local and Foreign Investors transcends the mere enforcement of law and order. In today’s interconnected and competitive global economy, the police institution must function as a key pillar in fostering economic development, investment protection, and prosperity.
Nigeria stands at a pivotal point in its development journey. As the largest economy in Africa, with a GDP surpassing 470 billion dollars and a population rich in talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit, the opportunities are boundless. Yet, the inflow of both domestic and foreign direct investment remains far below our potential. One of the most critical factors influencing investor decisions is the question of safety, the safety of lives, of assets, and of operational continuity. No investor willingly puts capital in a volatile or insecure environment. This is where the role of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) becomes not just relevant but foundational. Hence, Today, I will highlight some of the key roles of the Police in securing the investment environment and positioning Nigeria as a destination of choice for investors.
1.Protection of Lives and Property
The cornerstone of any thriving investment climate is the assurance that both human and material assets are secure. Investors, regardless of origin, seek environments where their staffs are safe, their facilities are protected, and their activities can proceed without fear of violence, theft, or disruption. The Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally mandated to provide this fundamental layer of protection. Our nationwide deployment, with concentrated strength in economic hubs such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, is designed to ensure the safety of residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Through strategic visibility policing, patrol systems, and intelligence-based deployments, we deter criminal activity and create a stable atmosphere conducive to economic productivity. By securing transport corridors, financial institutions, markets, ports, and industrial estates, we provide the bedrock for sustainable economic engagement.
2.Securing Critical Economic Infrastructure
Every economy relies on infrastructure including roads, ports, telecommunications, pipelines, power installations, and industrial clusters. These are often targeted by criminal elements seeking economic sabotage or personal gain. The Nigeria Police Force plays a direct and strategic role in safeguarding these assets. Through specialized formations such as the Maritime Command, Railway Police, Airport Police, and Tactical Units, we ensure that Nigeria’s critical infrastructure is protected from vandalism, theft, and operational disruption. These infrastructure networks are essential for trade, logistics, and connectivity and without their security, investor confidence would be swiftly eroded.
Perhaps most crucial in today’s economy is the safeguarding of financial institutions and digital financial infrastructure. Banks, fintech hubs, insurance companies, data centres, and financial transaction systems represent the nerve centre of the modern economy. The Nigeria Police Force, through its Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Counter-Terrorism Units, provides direct security services to financial institutions and corporate headquarters across major cities. In times of unrest or civil disturbance, we prioritize the protection of ATMs, bank branches, and cash logistics operations to prevent looting, arson, or disruption of service delivery.
3.Intelligence-Led Policing and Crime Prevention
Beyond routine patrols, modern investment protection requires a dynamic intelligence apparatus. The Nigeria Police Force has adopted intelligence-led policing as a core strategy. This means threats are not merely responded to, but anticipated and neutralized through proactive intelligence gathering, analysis, and strategic action. Our intelligence units which include the Force Intelligence Department (FID), the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), and Intelligence Response Team work round the clock to monitor criminal trends that may threaten investment security. From organized crime syndicates involved in extortion or sabotage to emerging threats in the cyber domain, intelligence enables swift and focused responses. It also facilitates early warning systems that allow investors to operate with confidence and clarity.
4.Enforcement of Contracts and Resolution of Commercial Disputes
Another critical expectation of investors is the ability to enforce contracts and resolve commercial disputes efficiently. While this is traditionally the domain of the judiciary, the Police plays a crucial complementary role. We investigate and act on cases of fraud, breach of trust, misappropriation, and economic sabotage, all of which are common challenges in commercial settings. Our Special Fraud Unit and Legal Department are instrumental in ensuring that those who compromise commercial integrity are brought to book. This not only upholds the rule of law but sends a strong signal to the global business community that Nigeria is serious about protecting business interests and enforcing contractual obligations.
5.Cyber-security and Digital Asset Protection
In the digital age, threats to investment are no longer limited to physical crimes. Cyber threats now pose major risks to businesses, with the capacity to cause significant financial and reputational damage. The Nigeria Police Force has responded by establishing a dedicated Cybercrime Unit equipped to investigate and combat electronic fraud, identity theft, data breaches, and digital sabotage. As Nigeria embraces digital transformation and the growth of fintech, e-commerce, and remote workspaces, it becomes imperative to have robust cyber protection capabilities. Our collaborations with local and international agencies have enhanced our reach in tracking and prosecuting cyber criminals, making the digital space safer for innovation and investment.
6.RE-DIRECTING OUR YOUTH TO BE MORE PURPOSEFULL
One particularly impactful initiative champion by our leadership is the Police campaign against cultism and other vices (POCACOV). This initiative addresses the critical demographic of our youth, recognising that young Nigerians represent the heart and future of our country. It is widely acknowledged that ‘a country is only as strong as its average citizen’. By engaging and empowering our youth, POCACOV is transforming potential threat into assets, steering young individuals away from crime and towards productive and positive contributions to society. Given that our youth constitute a significant majority of our population, initiative like POCACOV is essential in ensuring sustainable national growth and development. It is our determination to ensure POCACOV is deeply rooted in all our schools and colleges.
- INCLUSIVE POLICING
In February 2025, between, 26th – 28th, the IGP organised a 3-day seminar in Abeokuta Ogun state on ‘Inclusive Policing’, a highly refreshing and enriching seminar focused on Inclusive Policing. The need for the subject matter was re-emphasised in the Nigeria context, where security challenges ranges from insurgency and banditry to cybercrime and communal conflict, the need for an innovative and inclusive police strategy cannot be downplayed. This subject matter is more than just a law enforcement approach; it is a security model that integrate the voices, concerns and cooperation of the very people the police are meant to protect, by bridging the trust gape between the Police and the community, it fosters intelligence sharing, proactive crime prevention, and effective law enforcement responses. This shift from reactive to preventive Policing ensures and that security challenges are address at their root, rather than merely responding after they occur.
A secure Nation attracts investment both foreign and domestic. No investor either multinational cooperation’s or small business owners want to operate in an environment where insecurity threating operations, employees and supply chains. Countries with high crime rate and ineffective Policing often struggle with capital flight and economic downturn. Conversely, a well-secured nation reinforced by inclusive policing practices, signals stability, which boost investor confidence and accelerate economic growth.
Moreover, youth engagement in policing initiative plays a pivotal role in reducing crime and enhancing prosperity. A security strategy that involves young people through community watch programs, digital crime reporting platforms, and skill acquisition initiatives divert their energy from criminal activities towards productive ventures. Instead of becoming recruit for violent groups or cyber-criminal networks, this youth becomes partners in security, driving local economic in return.
Further, inclusive policing reduces the financial burden of security operations on the government. When trust is established between law enforcement agencies and the public, citizen voluntarily provides intelligence, reducing the cost and complexity of crime detection. Police resources can then be channel towards more strategic interventions rather than excessive reactive deployment. This efficiency translate into cost savings that can be re-invested into public services, infrastructures, and job creation element that are directly tied to national prosperity. This is a clarion call to all Nigerian that security concerns is the duty of everybody and requires a deeper engagement with community members. - COLLABORATION WITH OTHER SISTERS’ AGENCIES.
Building upon our commitment to community policing, we recognize the paramount importance of fostering strong relationships with the business community. To this end, various police divisions and area commands are actively implored to engage in regular town hall meetings and structured dialogues with business leaders. These proactive engagements serve as vital platforms for open communication, enabling us to directly understand and comprehensively address the specific security concerns faced by businesses operating within our jurisdictions. Through these joint problem-solving initiatives, we aim to cultivate a climate of collaboration and mutual accountability, moving beyond traditional policing models to forge genuine partnerships. Furthermore, these interactions are invaluable for enhancing information sharing and intelligence gathering, as the insights provided by the business community often prove crucial in proactively identifying and mitigating potential threats. By prioritizing these relationships and fostering trust through consistent engagement, we aim to create a more secure and stable environment that underpins economic growth and prosperity for all.
The NPF have several specialized units created to address specific and emerging security challenges. These units are designed to enhance operational capability of the force in dealing with various forms of crime. These units include.
A. Counter Terrorist Unit
B. Intelligence Response team
C. Special Tactical Squad
D. Criminal Investigation Department
E. Explosive Ordinance Disposal
F. Police Mobile Force
G. Marine Police
H. Special Intervention Squad
I. Anti-kidnapping Unit
J. Rapid Response Squad
K. Nigeria Police Air-wing
L. Anti-Narcotics Unit
M. Nigeria Police Gender Unit
The special units have contributed immensely to fighting and curbing cases of terrorism, banditry, cultism, kidnapping and cattle rustling etc.
They have been effective with other security agencies within and outside Nigeria to stem the tide of crime and other vices in the country.
In Conclusion
Let me state emphatically that security is not just a government obligation, it is an economic strategy. A secure environment attracts investment. Investment creates jobs. Jobs reduce crime. And reduced crime reinforces national stability. It is a cycle that we, as members of the Nigeria Police Force, are committed to sustaining. I therefore call upon all stakeholders from government ministries to corporate leaders, from civil society to international development partners to recognize the central role of the Police and work with us in building a Nigeria where investment is not just possible, but preferable. Let us build a nation where local businesses grow unhindered, where global firms expand with confidence, and where local and foreign investors can look at our country and say: “Nigeria is safe, Nigeria is ready.”
*AIG FAYOADE, Adegoke Mustapha, mni, psc, mnin (AIG Zone 2) delivered this paper at the Lagos SWAN/UN Event on Food Security and Sports Diplomacy in Lagos
