The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has met with the Director-General of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Ayo Omotayo, to explore collaboration on national security and governance.

The meeting took place on Thursday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, bringing together senior officials from both institutions.

Professor Omotayo was accompanied by Leye Oyebade and Dr. Garba Malumfashi.

Why It Matters

The talks signal a growing push to align policing with research-driven policy development in Nigeria.

Security experts say stronger collaboration between operational agencies and policy institutions could improve intelligence gathering, leadership training, and long-term national security planning.

NIPSS, which operates under the Presidency, plays a key role in shaping high-level government policies and training senior public officials.

Focus on Security, Leadership, Policy

According to officials, discussions centred on:

National security strategy

Strategic leadership development

Capacity building within the police

Policy research and institutional support

In his remarks, Professor Omotayo highlighted the institute’s role in national development.

“NIPSS… remains Nigeria’s foremost policy think tank and centre for policy formulation,” he said.

“It is the nation’s apex platform for strategic reflection, research, and dialogue.”

Police Emphasise Reform and Professionalism

Responding, IGP Disu welcomed the partnership and stressed the importance of linking policing with policy expertise.

“Strategic collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and policy institutions is vital in advancing national security objectives,” he said.

He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, capacity development, and ongoing reforms.

“The Force is ready to partner with NIPSS in advancing research, policy formulation, and leadership development initiatives.”

Industry and Public Perspective

Security analysts note that Nigeria’s evolving security challenges ranging from urban crime to organised violence require coordinated responses across institutions.

Closer ties between the police and policy bodies like NIPSS could help bridge the gap between theory and field operations.

For citizens, improved collaboration may translate into more effective policing, better-informed policies, and stronger public safety outcomes.

What’s Next

Both institutions are expected to deepen engagement through joint programmes, research initiatives, and leadership training.

The Nigeria Police Force says it will continue building partnerships aimed at strengthening internal security and governance.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has rejected allegations that its officers extorted ₦100,000 from commercial bus drivers, following an internal investigation that found no evidence of wrongdoing.

The agency also called on media organisations to prioritise accuracy and verification, warning that false reports could damage public trust in government institutions.

Investigation Findings

Speaking after the probe, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the allegations were thoroughly examined by an investigative panel.

He explained that the vehicles involved were penalised for traffic violations, not extortion.

“The panel’s findings unequivocally established that the vehicles in question were apprehended for wilful obstruction, in contravention of extant traffic regulations,” he said.

According to him, all payments made by the drivers were legitimate and properly remitted to government accounts.

“These findings… decisively debunk the allegations of extortion,” he added.

Why It Matters

Traffic enforcement agencies like LASTMA play a key role in managing congestion in Lagos, one of Africa’s busiest urban centres.

Allegations of misconduct can erode public trust and discourage compliance with traffic laws.

At the same time, inaccurate reporting could mislead the public and damage institutional credibility.

Media Responsibility and Public Trust

Bakare-Oki stressed the importance of responsible journalism in a democratic society.

He described the media as essential in shaping public understanding and promoting civic responsibility.

“The dissemination of unverified claims and sensational narratives constitutes a grave threat to institutional credibility and public trust,” he said.

He urged journalists to adopt strict fact-checking practices before publishing reports.

Public Reaction and Expert View

Some media analysts say the situation highlights the tension between accountability reporting and misinformation risks.

Road users, meanwhile, often complain about enforcement practices, making transparency critical for agencies like LASTMA.

What’s Next

LASTMA says it will continue engaging with the media and the public through official channels.

The agency highlighted its toll-free hotline (080000527862) and a Physical Complaints Unit (PCU) where citizens can report incidents or verify claims.

It also reiterated its commitment to openness and accountability.

Nigeria’s push to establish state police must begin with a deep review of the country’s policing failures, according to the chairman of the Police Service Commission.

Hashimu Salihu Argungu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, made the call when he received members of the Committee for the Implementation of State Police at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The delegation, led by Olu Ogunsakin, said it was consulting the commission to draw on its institutional experience as Nigeria explores a major reform of its policing system.

The committee is tasked with proposing a framework for how state police structures would operate, including recruitment, training standards and resource allocation.

Why the State Police Debate Matters

Calls for state police have grown louder in recent years amid concerns over rising insecurity and the limits of a centrally controlled policing system.

Nigeria currently operates a single national police force — the Nigeria Police Force — which critics say is overstretched in a country of more than 200 million people.

Supporters of state police argue that decentralising law enforcement could improve response times and local intelligence gathering.

But opponents warn that such a system could be abused by political leaders at the state level.

PSC Chairman: “Find out what went wrong”

Speaking during the meeting, Mr Argungu urged the committee to first diagnose the root causes of the current policing challenges.

“Find out what went wrong that necessitated the quest for the creation of state police,” he advised.

He said the committee should carefully examine the relationship between federal and state offences and the broader legal framework guiding policing in Nigeria.

The PSC chairman also warned that some laws guiding policing may no longer be relevant.

He stressed the need to review whether certain statutes had become obsolete in the 21st century.

Committee Seeks PSC’s Experience

Professor Ogunsakin said the committee recognised the commission’s experience in the policing sector.

“We cannot do it alone without tapping from the wisdom of the PSC,” he said.

“We are here to tap from your wealth of knowledge regarding the task before us to review the landscape, structure, and foundation to assist the Nigeria Police Force to move forward.”

He described Mr Argungu as a “fountain of knowledge”.

Learning from Global Models

Mr Argungu also encouraged the committee to examine how state policing works in other countries.

He said studying global models could help Nigeria avoid mistakes and adapt effective practices.

The chairman advised the committee to analyse the challenges faced by other countries operating decentralised policing systems before designing a Nigerian model.

He also urged members not to rush the process.

The committee, he said, should request more time if necessary to produce a well-considered framework.

Who Was Present

Several members of the commission’s board attended the meeting.

They included:

Paul Adamu Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, representing the judiciary.

Taiwo Lakanu, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

Onyemuche Nnamani, Secretary to the commission.

What Happens Next

The state police committee is expected to produce recommendations that will guide government decisions on whether and how state police could be established.

Any final decision would likely require constitutional amendments and legislative approval.

For many Nigerians, the debate is ultimately about whether a decentralised policing system could improve safety and accountability across the country.