The Presidential Ad Hoc Committee on the Overhaul of Security Training Institutions has said that the police college institutes and other security training facilities across the country will be rebuilt and equipped before the recruitment of the 30,000 new police personnel approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Members of the committee led by its Chairman and Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, spoke on Thursday during their inspection visit to the Police Training College, Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The committee members, including Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, were led to the Nonwa Police Training College by their host and Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
Mbah said the President had already approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police personnel, but added that the exercise would not proceed until the country’s training facilities are rebuilt and adequately equipped.
“There’s no way that recruitment can happen if we do not have proper training ground for these men and women who protect our communities”, he said.
Mbah said the overhauling of security training institutes was a direct mandate from President Tinubu, who personally inaugurated the committee to reposition the country’s law enforcement training system.
He noted that Tinubu’s declaration of emergency on training institutes was a demonstration of the importance he attached to the security of lives and properties of the citizens.
He said: “The President came to the NEC meeting himself to inaugurate this committee. That tells you how much importance he attaches to the security of lives and property. He recognises that we are at a security crossroad, and nothing short of a complete and urgent overhaul is required to secure our future.
“We are here for an on-the-spot assessment, to document the level of decay and ensure that this intervention is nationwide. That was the explicit mandate of the President.”
Mbah lamented that most of the training centres had suffered decades of neglect, emphasising that Tinubu’s intervention marked a new beginning for Nigeria’s policing architecture.
He said: “You cannot demand integrity and professionalism from our men and women when the institutions that train them are in ruins.
“This is being treated as a national emergency. The first phase will last one month, during which we will begin rebuilding, reequipping and restoring the dignity of these institutions.”
Abiodun described the reform as a “clear demonstration of the President’s political will” to strengthen law enforcement and ensure internal security.
He said: “The President is not a member of NEC, yet he came personally to inaugurate this committee. “That tells you his level of commitment.
“He understands that you cannot recruit 30,000 policemen and train them in this kind of environment. You cannot incubate policemen here and expect them to behave like professionals when they get out.”
Abiodun revealed that the committee had split into northern and southern teams to meet its four-week deadline.
He said consultants were already working on a bill of quantities and cost assessments for all police and NSCDC training facilities across the country.
Abiodun said: “We’re determined to meet the deadline. Our report will include detailed refurbishment plans so that the President can immediately begin the recruitment drive backed by proper training infrastructure. This shows that Mr. President is not just talking; he is acting.”
Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, hailed the initiative as a “bold and practical step” by President Tinubu to professionalise the Nigerian Police Force.
Fubara said: “What is important here is that the President has made a bold statement. He wants a police force that is trained professionally.
“I strongly believe he means every word he has said. This is not just about fixing buildings; it’s about building capacity, restoring morale, and motivating officers to perform like their counterparts anywhere in the world.”
The inspection team, which also included retired and serving senior police officers, toured facilities at the Nonwa Police Training College and other adjoining facilities in Rivers.
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