By Toyin Hakeem, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has taken another step to strengthen its counter-terrorism operations after completing a specialised United Nations-backed investigations training in Morocco, with Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directing that the knowledge gained be immediately deployed to enhance policing across the country.
The development was announced in a statement by CSP Aniete Okokon, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, who said the initiative aligns with the Force’s ongoing drive to build a more professional, intelligence-led and globally competitive police institution.
The two-week Counter-Terrorism Investigations Train-the-Trainer Programme was held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, from July 13 to 31, 2026. It was organised by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) under its Global Counter-Terrorism Investigations Programme in partnership with Al Akhawayn University.
The programme brought together law enforcement officers from Nigeria, Kenya and Burkina Faso to deepen cooperation in combating terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime through advanced investigative techniques and intelligence sharing.
Nigeria’s delegation, comprising 10 senior police officers led by ACP Favour Fadawa of the Nigeria Police Academy, underwent intensive training on intelligence-led investigations, threat assessment, evidence management, disruption of terrorist networks and prosecution-driven case building.
Reacting to the successful completion of the programme, IGP Disu said the fight against terrorism demands continuous capacity building and international collaboration, stressing that the newly acquired expertise would strengthen the Force’s operational response to emerging security threats.
The Inspector-General consequently directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Training and Development, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, PhD, FCNA, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Police Academy to immediately cascade the training across the Force to ensure that officers nationwide benefit from the programme.
He also revealed that the proposed Executive Master’s Programme at the Nigeria Police Academy is nearing full accreditation and commencement, describing it as part of broader reforms aimed at producing highly skilled officers capable of addressing complex security challenges.
The Nigeria Police Force thanked the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Al Akhawayn University, the Governments of Morocco, Kenya and Burkina Faso, as well as all development partners, for supporting the initiative, reaffirming its commitment to international cooperation, professional excellence and sustained efforts to safeguard national, regional and global security.