The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has sought a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen security and facilitate development projects across the region.
The Commission’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, made the request during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the NWDC Head of Press and Public Relations, Abdulrashid Yusuf Safana, the proposed partnership is expected to improve security coordination, promote community policing and support the implementation of development initiatives across the seven North-West states.
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During the meeting, Ma’aji requested the restoration of police orderly and convoy attachments for himself and his team, particularly during project inspection and monitoring visits across the region.
He said the request was necessitated by prevailing security challenges in the North-West, which require enhanced protection for officials undertaking field assignments.
The NWDC chief executive also expressed the Commission’s readiness to support the police through the provision of critical infrastructure and operational equipment to strengthen the Force’s capacity to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
Responding, the Inspector-General of Police welcomed the proposal and promised to give it speedy consideration.
Disu reaffirmed the Police Force’s commitment to collaborating with development institutions, noting that he had directed commissioners of police nationwide to work closely with government agencies in their respective states and provide the necessary protection for them to carry out their responsibilities
The IGP also commended police officers and men for their courage and resilience in confronting security challenges across the North-West, despite operational constraints.
Both leaders expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration would improve security coordination, strengthen institutional cooperation and accelerate development projects for the benefit of communities across the region.