APFFLON Writes President Tinubu, Condemns Poor Living Condition of Police Officers, Calls for Urgent Reform

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders &Logistics of Nigeria
(APFFLON) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to carryout an urgent reform of the Nigerian force, especially the deteriorating state of police
facilities, such as Kam Salem and other barracks.

In a letter signed by APFFLON President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, dated 15th May, 2025, a copy of which was sent to DAILY TREND, the association pointed out that many police officers live in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions, lacking basic amenities such as clean water, functional sanitation, and adequate living space.

It stated that this situation not only demoralizes the brave men and women in uniform but also detracts from their
ability to effectively serve and protect the populace.

According to APFFLON, the commitment to reform the Nigeria Police Force is not just about improving conditions for offlicers; it is about safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of every citizen.

The frontline freight forwarders association argued that 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.

“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” the letter reads in part.

See full text of APFFLON LETTER TO PRESIDENT TINUBU BELOW

15th May, 2025
APFFLON/HQ/NGPNol:1.25
His Excellency
Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR,
President,Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,
Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Rock Villa.
Fct,Abuja.
Through:
The Office of the Chief of Staff,
His Excellency Sir,

APPEAL FOR URGENT REFORM OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

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 oficers 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 ofpolice 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 offlicers; 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.

We remain
Yours truly,
Otunba Frank Ogunojemite
National President
Cc.The Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs
The Inspector General of Police
The AlG Maritime
The AIG Zone 2
The AIG Zone Il