From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
About 42 Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) from the 19 Northern States, on Wednesday, gathered at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, on a three-day workshop on forensic detection cum management .
The workshop is designed to educate police Image-makers on how to bring down the wave of crime through laboratory technologies.
It is being sponsored by German government, in collaboration with the Force Headquarters, Edet House.
The moderator, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Aremu Adeniran, who represented the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, said the training is being sponsored by GIZ German government development cooperation for police spokespersons in the zones, commands and formations of 19 northern states.
The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of police, in-charge of Zone One, Sadiq Abubakar Bello, declared the occasion open.
The IGP said the three+day intensive course is geared towards equiping the participants with skills necessary for effective descriptive analytical and strategic communication methods touching on criminal investigation.
According to the Police Boss, “this will enable them acquire relevant skills to give appropriate responses to citizens and media enquiries into matters of forensic and evidential nature connected to criminal investigations.
“It is hoped that the three days course will amongst other benefits, impact police spokespersons positively, particularly in the areas of strategic communication and crime scene management.
“Participants of this course must be reminded that to succeed as police image makers they must be versatile and have deep theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of policing covering administration, operations, investigations, and forensics amongst others.
“Therefore, the quest for resourcefulness remains an integral part of the objective of this course.”
The IGP further urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities the course presents, to interact, cross fertilise and broaden their skills, especially in responding to crime incidents and to fit into the demanding task of information management and public engagement for the force.
He, however, assured that the Police Force under his watch remains committed, “to a well-thought-out and goal driven partnership and collaborations, with progressive and positive minded organisations, such as the GIZ, targeted at enhancing professional and operational capacity of the force.
“The force would sustain relationships and open new areas of collaborations, touching on capacities on criminal investigations, respect for human right, access fo justice for citizens, improved transparency and accountability in policing actions and other deliberate efforts aimed at strengthening citizens complainant response system.”
He wished the participants an impressive and rewarding engagement.
More so, the Commissioner of Police, Kano state Command, Mr. Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, said he was happy the training was held in Kano, adding that, “as soon as they (police spokespersons) are through with this course, you will see the difference.”
However, the Head of Component, of the German GIZ forensic project, Gertjan de Gruijter, said the programme is designed to build and strengthen police structures in selected partner countries in Africa, including Nigeria.
He further stated that the exercise for the southern part of the country was done in Lagos, few months ago.
Gruijter explained that the Country Component Nigeria (G1Z PPA) is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA) and implemented through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
He added that, “as a federally owned enterprise, the GIZ supports the German government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation.
“The Programme is being implemented in Nigeria, as well as several other African countries, including regional and sub-regional economic commissions, i.e, African Union.
“The aim is to support police services and law enforcement institutions with expert advice, training, infrastructure and equipment projects, and strengthening of management capacities. The Programme has been implementing in Nigeria since 2016. The current phase started in 2019 and will run until 2022.”
