The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has advanced efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security through a proposed trilateral partnership involving Nigeria, the United States and Italy, with plans to provide specialised training for up to 5,000 police personnel.
The initiative is aimed at improving the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in tackling terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking and other security threats through specialised training, intelligence-led operations and institutional development.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026, following the IGP’s working visit to Italy, where he engaged Italian law enforcement authorities on opportunities for technical assistance, advanced training and technology transfer.
According to the statement, the proposed training would prioritise counter-insurgency operations and policing in difficult rural and forested terrains.
Other areas of focus include tactical operations, intelligence-led patrols, critical infrastructure protection, digital and scientific forensics, cybercrime, explosives detection, financial investigations, asset tracing and anti-extortion techniques.
The training would cover not only personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) but also other tactical and specialised units, including explosive ordnance disposal and forensic teams.
During a meeting with the Commander General of the Italian Carabinieri, Lieutenant-General Salvatore Luongo, Disu explored opportunities for technical assistance, specialised training and institutional cooperation.
At the Carabinieri Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU) in Vicenza, the Nigerian delegation assessed training facilities and discussed ways to adapt specialised programmes to the country’s security challenges.
Proposals included command courses for 40 senior officers, leadership training for 100 junior commanders and the deployment of a mobile assistance team to support PMF training schools in Gwoza and Ila-Orangun.
The delegation also sought support for developing a national stability policing doctrine and standard operating procedures to improve operational consistency, professional standards and civilian protection, particularly in communities recovering from conflict.
Further discussions focused on cooperation in canine operations, forensic science and mounted policing, including horse breeding and local capacity development to support public order management and other policing duties.
To formalise the proposed initiatives, the IGP proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering training, technology transfer and operational doctrine. He also invited a Carabinieri assessment team to Abuja to identify priority areas and develop practical implementation arrangements.
Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to international partnerships aimed at strengthening operational readiness, improving investigative capabilities and enhancing the protection of lives and property.
The Force said it would continue to engage relevant international partners to advance the proposals in line with Nigeria’s security priorities.
