By Chukwudi Osuji
Over 300 personnel of the Imo State Police Command have been trained on the application of scientific methods or techniques in the investigation of fraud, other crimes as well as in resolving legal issues in a court of law.
The two-day scientific training held at the Command headquarters in Owerri, our reporter gathered was part of ongoing transformative police reforms championed by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu Rilwanu, PSC.
Speaking at the official opening of the training, the training team leader and head of the delegation from Force Headquarters, Dr. Pearl Chidima Ogbulu said the exercise was aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and human development within the Nigeria Police Force.
Ogbulu furthered that the training was also designed to enhance officers’ knowledge of modern forensic techniques, intelligence-led investigation, and strategies for combating financial crimes, and other emerging threats.
She commended the IGP for prioritizing capacity development in the Force and urged participants to maximize the training to strengthen their professionalism, ethical standards and skills for effective policing.
Also while declaring the training open, the Imo Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, represented by his Deputy in-charge of Administration and Finance, DCP Hammanjoda Barka stressed the importance of continuous training in improving operational efficiency and service delivery of police personnel.
Bosso noted that modern policing requires officers equipped with up-to-date investigative and forensic skills. He appreciated the Inspector-General of Police on behalf of officers and men of the Imo State Police Command for his continuous support and commitment to capacity building.
He also commended Dr. Ogbulu for her contributions to strengthening investigative capacity within the Force and charged the participants to apply the knowledge gained in their duties, adding that effective application of the training would improve policing outcomes across the State.
The training featured forensic experts lectures including Professor S.A.S Aruwa who delivered lecture on Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Terrorist Financing, and NFIU collaboration, focusing on detection of illicit financial flows and inter-agency coordination.
Also, Rev. Dr. Uzoamaka Uhuegbu lectured on Conducting Financial Investigations, emphasizing investigative procedures, evidence handling, and best practices in financial crime cases.
