The Abia State Police Command has commenced a 10-day training programme to strengthen officers’ capacity to investigate cybercrime and other technology-driven offences, as the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Office in Lagos seeks closer cooperation with the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Annex, to enhance security and public safety.
The twin developments underscore efforts by security and government institutions to improve their response to emerging crimes while strengthening inter-agency collaboration.
In Abia, the cybercrime training programme was organised in partnership with the Cyber Shield Africa Initiative and formally opened on Monday by the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the programme was designed to sharpen officers’ skills in investigating cybercrime and other technology-related offences.
Participants include personnel from the Cybercrime Section, State Criminal Investigation Department, State Intelligence Bureau and Violent Crime Response Unit Intelligence, alongside officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Chinaka said the training followed an operational review by the Command, which identified the need to strengthen its capacity to effectively tackle cyber-related offences.
Afolabi noted that financial and cybercrimes were becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in commercial centres such as Aba, where he said digital security was becoming as important as physical security.
The Commissioner said the Command was determined to make Abia hostile to identity theft, impersonation, financial fraud and other cyber-related crimes.
He stressed that effective investigation of technology-driven offences required modern skills and techniques, adding that regular training was essential to keep security personnel abreast of evolving criminal methods.
Afolabi urged participants to remain focused and disciplined throughout the programme, warning that inadequate preparation could expose both officers and members of the public to unnecessary risks.
AKWA IBOM, FCID ANNEX STRENGTHEN SECURITY PARTNERSHIP
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Officer in Lagos, Anthony Isonguyo, has pledged to strengthen cooperation between the state’s liaison office and the FCID Annex.
Isonguyo made the commitment during a courtesy visit to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the FCID Annex, AIG Simeon Akpanudom, on Tuesday.
The liaison officer, who recently assumed office in Lagos, explained that the liaison office serves as a link between the Akwa Ibom State Government and indigenes of the state residing in Lagos.
He commended Akpanudom’s leadership of the FCID Annex and described his appointment as significant, noting that he was the first Akwa Ibom indigene to head the formation since its establishment.
Isonguyo expressed his readiness to promote closer engagement between the liaison office and the FCID Annex in areas of mutual interest, particularly those relating to security and the welfare of Akwa Ibom indigenes.
Responding, Akpanudom welcomed the visit, describing it as a demonstration of goodwill and institutional cooperation.
The AIG also acknowledged the support extended to him by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Akpanudom commended developments in Akwa Ibom under Governor Umo Eno and emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation among government institutions and other stakeholders in strengthening security, peace and public safety.
He later presented a commemorative plaque to Isonguyo as a symbol of goodwill and continued partnership.
Both sides agreed to sustain the relationship and explore additional areas of cooperation in the interest of security, peace and public safety.
