APFFLON petitions President Tinubu over poor Police infrastructure

Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders & Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the deteriorating state of Police facilities across Nigeria.

APFFLON informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the ongoing challenges not only affect the wellbeing of our police officers but also have significant implications for public safety and trust in law enforcement across the nation.

The petition was contained in a letter written by the APFFLON National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, and addressed to President Tinubu and which the Inspector General of Police, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Maritime, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2 and the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 11 were copied.

The letter, dated May 15, 2025 and titled – Appeal for Urgent Reform of The Nigeria Police Force, reads thus:

We are Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders & Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), duly registered as a professional advocacy group for the protection of the interests of trade and advancement of economic growth in Nigeria. We hope this letter finds you well sir.
We write to bring to your immediate attention the pressing issues facing the Nigeria Police Force, particularly regarding the deteriorating state of police facilities, such as Kam Salem and other barracks. The ongoing challenges not only affect the wellbeing of our police officers but also have significant implications for public safety and trust in law enforcement across our nation.

As concerned citizens, we have observed with increasing alarm the deplorable conditions of police barracks, which have become a reflection of broader systemic issues plaguing the Nigeria Police Force. Many police officers live in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions, lacking basic amenities such as clean water, functional sanitation, and adequate living space. This situation not only demoralizes our brave men and women in uniform but also detracts from their ability to effectively serve and protect the populace.

It is well-documented that officers working in distressing conditions face increased stress and diminished morale, which ultimately affects their performance on the job. This can lead to a perpetuation of lawlessness and a lack of trust between the public and law enforcement. Moreover, it undermines the very essence of what the Nigeria Police Force stands for – the protection of life and property and the maintenance of peace and order.

In light of the above, your Excellency, we appeal to your good office to undertake a comprehensive reform of the Nigeria Police Force, by considering some key factors that can contribute to police welfare and effective policing, which include the following:

a.     Infrastructure Development: Immediate assessment and renovation of police barracks, including Kam Salem and others, to ensure that they meet basic living conditions for police personnel.

b.     Increased Funding: Allocate sufficient budgetary provisions for the maintenance and upgrading of police infrastructure and resources.

c.     Training and Capacity Building: Regular training programs should be instituted to enhance the skills and efficiency of police personnel.

d.     Community Partnership: Building trust and strengthening partnership between the police and local communities to improve trust and cooperation in crime prevention efforts is crucial. This can be achieved through regular interaction, outreach programs and joint problem-solving initiatives.

e.     Mental Health Support: Implement mental health programs for officers to address issues arising from job-related stress and trauma.

f.      Establishing a Police Intelligence School: Providing specialized training for police officers in intelligence gathering and analysis can improve their ability to tackle complex security challenges.

g.     Public Confidence and Trust: Fostering a positive relationship between the police and the public is essential. This can be achieved through transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to community needs.

h.     Modern Equipment and Technology: Equipping the police with modern tools such as drones, tracking devices and forensic equipment can significantly improve their ability to respond to and investigate crimes.

i.       Legislative and Executive Support: Strengthening the legal framework and providing adequate resources to support policing efforts can contribute to effective policing.

j.       Inter-Agency collaboration: Encouraging collaboration and information sharing between different security agencies can help to tackle complex security challenges more effectively. Creating strong ties with agencies such as Nigeria’s Maritime administration can enhance operational efficiency.

The commitment to reform the Nigeria Police Force is not just about improving conditions for officers; it is about safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of every citizen. A well-equipped and adequately supported police force is crucial for national security as it will reduce piracy and robbery, secure ports and terminals by preventing unauthorised access and potential threats and this will increase efficiency in terms of smooth operations without disruptions or delays.

More so, the reformation of the Nigeria Police Force will come with economic benefits, because it will have significant impact on maritime businesses, increase trade, contribute to a safe and secure environment that fosters economic growth and development, improve reputation through enhancement of credibility, increase customer trust and a secure maritime environment which can attract investment, stimulating economic growth and development. The reformation will as well ensure compliance with international security standards and regulations, thereby reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.

Overall, the reformation will enhance good policing which plays a critical role in maintaining a safe and secure maritime and aviation environment, which is essential for the growth and development of the two industries’ businesses.

We sincerely hope that this appeal serves as a catalyst for necessary changes to enhance the performance and integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We are confident that with the right actions, we can build a more effective, respectable, and trusted police service in Nigeria.