ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, has expressed optimism that schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State will soon regain their freedom, assuring Nigerians that security agencies and government authorities are intensifying efforts to secure their release.
Fayoade gave the assurance on Monday during an official working visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, where he also unveiled plans aimed at strengthening policing through increased manpower, improved welfare for officers, enhanced intelligence gathering, and greater deployment of technology.
Speaking on the abduction incident, the DIG said all security agencies involved in the operation remain focused on rescuing the victims safely rather than engaging in discussions about ransom demands.
“The update is that all agencies, including government, are working very hard. And I can assure you within the shortest possible time, the children and their teachers will be free,” he said.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the kidnappers had shifted from demanding the release of some of their leaders to seeking ransom payments and the release of foot soldiers, Fayoade said the police had no information on such claims.
“We don’t know anything about ransom because we don’t talk about ransom. So, all efforts are directed towards getting the abductees free from the capture,” he stated.
The DIG explained that his visit to Lagos was part of broader efforts to improve supervision of police commands across the South-West and engage officers on evolving security challenges confronting the country.
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“It’s a working visit. It’s to strengthen supervision. And it’s to have discussions with our officers and men on the field. We are working on a new reviewer method, an adult method that we can use effectively to confront the emerging challenges facing the country,” he said.
According to him, manpower shortages, personnel welfare, and operational logistics were among the key issues discussed during meetings with officers.
“Top on the list is looking at how we are going to improve manpower because we are aware that 40,000 policemen will be recruited, and it has even started. Another area of importance is talking about the welfare of the men, which is paramount to the Inspector-General of Police,” he said.
Fayoade noted that the Inspector-General of Police remains committed to boosting morale within the force by improving officers’ welfare and providing them with the resources needed to perform effectively.
He also disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is making significant investments in technology and data management systems as part of efforts to modernise policing nationwide.
“The Inspector-General is passionate about technology. We have a data centre at the force headquarters which we are working on to complete. Other security agencies will be able to feed into it and get information about Nigerians who have committed crimes in the past.
“It will also help us direct our resources to where they are really needed. At the same time, we are working on using artificial intelligence for investigation and intelligence gathering,” he said.
The DIG added that recent breakthroughs recorded by police commands across the country were largely driven by sustained investments in technical training and intelligence-led policing.
“Many of our activities are under-reported. Police work is a 24-hour job, and you can see our men everywhere. They are making breakthroughs and making arrests.
“Obviously, it is not enough, but I assure you we will improve tremendously,” he said.
On public communication, Fayoade directed the Lagos State Police Command to ensure that its operational achievements and crime-fighting successes are adequately publicised.
“I have told the Commissioner of Police that every achievement they are making must be reported so that members of the public will know we are working very hard.
“Even when we arrest an ordinary housebreaker, we should let the public know. If our reporting of all that we are doing is not enough, we will improve on it,” he said.
The DIG further revealed that the police are upgrading their data centres, control rooms, and intelligence systems to enable predictive policing and quicker responses to criminal activities.
“We will be able to predict incidents. We will be able to know how to allocate our resources with all this data. We will even be able to nip cases in the bud with technology.
“Very soon, our officers will start attending courses on the use of AI in the investigation of cases and intelligence gathering. We are becoming technology-driven, and we are working on that very fast,” he said.
Fayoade also stressed the importance of maintaining mutual respect between police officers and members of the public, noting that professionalism and respect for human rights remain central to policing.
“They will do their work with a high level of respect, dignity and regard for people’s rights. At the same time, we expect members of the public to reciprocate that respect as officers carry out their duties diligently and professionally,” he added.
The DIG expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Lagos State Police Command, describing it as one of the leading commands in crime prevention and control across the country.
“By the grace of God and without being immodest, the Lagos State Police Command can confidently assert that it remains at the forefront of crime prevention and control in the state,” he said.