In direct response to the evolving tactics of criminal elements across the country, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has said law enforcement strategies must urgently shift to intelligence-led, technology-driven operations to stay ahead of modern security threats.
Disu said urgent steps are needed as crime becomes more sophisticated.
He made the declaration on Tuesday while officially commissioning two landmark digital initiatives, the Police Force Vigilant App and the NPF-MTN Closed User Group (CUG) Network, aimed at revolutionising public engagement and inter-agency communication.
To justify the strategic need for the new security infrastructure, the IGP highlighted that traditional law enforcement methods must adapt to the modern crime landscape.
“The policing environment is changing rapidly. Crime is becoming more sophisticated, information moves faster, and citizens increasingly expect public institutions to be accessible and responsive to technology. The Nigeria Police Force must, therefore, evolve with these realities,” the IGP stated. GeographicReference
He further stressed, “We must harness technology to make policing faster, smarter, more accessible, and more effective. My vision remains consistent: a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and people-centred police force”.
To tackle increasingly complex security challenges, the IGP explained that the Police Force Vigilant App was designed to build a real-time bridge between citizens and law enforcement officers to track and curb criminal activities before they escalate.
“The Vigilant App is designed to bring the police closer to the people by strengthening communication, information sharing, and engagement between citizens and the police force. Effective policing depends significantly on the quality and timeliness of information available to all of us,” he said.
Addressing members of the public on their role in curbing modern crime, the IGP added: “A citizen who can communicate with the police more easily is in a better position to report suspicious activities, provide useful information, and seek assistance when necessary. The police cannot be everywhere at the same time, but through technology and partnership with citizens, we can significantly expand our capacity to prevent and respond to crimes”.
He assured that information submitted via the application would be treated with the utmost security.
Disu said, “I charge our personnel and persons responsible for managing this platform to deploy it with professionalism, integrity, and respect for the law. Information received must be handled with confidentiality, investigated diligently, and protected accordingly.”
Highlighting the critical role of seamless internal communication during high-stakes tactical deployments, the IGP introduced the NPF-MTN CUG Network, a dedicated, cost-effective communication network built for police formations and specialised units nationwide.
He said, “In policing, information delay can be information lost,” the IGP noted. “Whether in operational deployment, emergency response, investigation, or routine administration, the ability to communicate quickly and efficiently can directly impact the success of our operations.”
He added that the platform also carries a major operational welfare component, and that “We recognise that technology cannot replace police officers; rather, it must empower officers to obtain and share intelligence faster, communicate better, make informed decisions, and serve citizens more effectively. The welfare of a police officer is inextricably linked to the effectiveness of the police. An officer who is better connected, better informed, and better supported is in a better position to serve the public effectively.”
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Information and Communication Technology, DIG Fayoade Adegoke, said the launch of the Vigilant App and MTN CUG reflects the growing importance of technology in modern policing.
He noted that the digital age has transformed how information is generated, shared and acted upon, making it necessary for security institutions to adopt innovative solutions capable of responding to emerging threats in real time.
DIG Adegoke explained that the Vigilant App would enable citizens to report incidents and suspicious activities directly through their mobile devices, reducing the need to visit police stations before transmitting important information.
He said the platform would also support the submission of relevant evidence and information that could assist police investigations and improve responses to security incidents.
The event drew key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, including representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Police Service Commission (PSC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and technical partners MTN Nigeria, TIMS International Limited, and Vigilant Technology Limited.