Peacekeeping, global security investment not charity – Egbetokun

The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has described peacekeeping as a strategic investment in global stability rather than an act of charity.

He said this on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the opening of a two-day symposium, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to international peace and security operations.

The symposium with the theme, “The Nigeria Police and the Peace Process in Africa,” was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island.

‘’Peace goes beyond the absence of conflict; it involves the deliberate creation of conditions that promote human dignity, democratic governance, justice, and sustainable development.

“Nigeria’s involvement in peace operations reflects its long-standing commitment to multilateralism, international solidarity, and responsible global leadership, ” he said.

The I-G noted that Nigeria’s participation in international peace missions began shortly after independence in 1960, with the deployment of police officers to United Nations operations, now in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Since then, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has remained actively engaged in peace operations under the United Nations, African Union, and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“Nigerian police officers have served in several conflict and post-conflict regions across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

‘’Also, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Haiti, Cambodia, and Afghanistan.

“The deployment of Nigeria’s first Formed Police Unit in 2004 marked a major shift from observer roles to robust, mandate-driven policing.

‘’This enabled the country to meet the evolving demands of modern peacekeeping, particularly in public order management, protection of civilians, and stabilisation operations, ” he said.

The police boss identified key areas of the police contributions to peace missions to include protection of civilians and community security, capacity building for host-state police services.

Others, he said, were electoral and democratic security, specialised policing functions, and leadership within global policing architecture.

Egbetokun also highlighted emerging challenges facing peace operations, such as violent extremism, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, logistical constraints, and welfare and mental health of deployed personnel.

To address these challenges, he said the NPF was focusing on specialised training in counterterrorism, cybercrime investigation, intelligence-led policing, institutional modernization.

‘’Also, regional security integration, and domestic police reforms anchored on professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights, ‘’ he said.

Egbetokun revealed that no fewer than 12,000 Nigerian police officers had participated in peace operations worldwide in the last six decades, paying tribute to officers, who lost their lives in the line of duty.

He assured that Nigeria would not retreat from its international responsibilities, stressing that the NPF would continue to work with global partners.

‘’This will be guided by law, ethics, and respect for human dignity, to promote peace and security for present and future generations, ‘’ he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director-General of the NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, described the Nigerian Police as a forward-looking institution with a strong international reputation.

Osaghae recalled the Force’s involvement in peacekeeping missions since Nigeria’s independence, including the 1960 Congo operation, and deployments to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Haiti, Somalia, Sudan and East Timor.

He noted that Nigerian police officers had distinguished themselves in those missions, with many rising to leadership positions under the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS.

According to him, the Police Force’s global recognition reflects improvements in domestic capacity, training and preparedness to address modern security challenges.

Osaghae also announced plans for collaboration between the NIIA and the Police, including the establishment of an International Centre for Peacekeeping and Policing and an annual lecture series.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Adewale Adebayo, traced the historical development of the Nigerian Police, noting that the quality of policing mirrored the state of governance and society.

Adenayo said that effective policing required political stability, good laws and adequate funding, saying, ‘’sustained investment is essential for national and international security efforts.’’