IGP Unveils Vigilant App, MTN CUG Network To Tackle Crime

The inspector-general of police, IGP Olatunji Disu has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s approach to policing, warning that the increasing sophistication of criminal activities requires stronger reliance on intelligence, technology and real-time information sharing.

Disu spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while commissioning two digital initiatives of the Nigeria Police Force — the Police Force Vigilant App and the NPF-MTN Closed User Group (CUG) Network — designed to strengthen communication between the police and citizens and improve operational coordination among police formations nationwide.

The IGP said the changing nature of crime, coupled with the speed at which information now travels, had made it imperative for the police to embrace technology as a critical tool for crime prevention and response.

According to him, “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.”

He also said his administration’s vision remains focused on building a police force that is technology-driven, intelligence-led and people-centred, noting that “We must harness technology to make policing faster, smarter, more accessible, and more effective.”

Disu further explained that the Police Force Vigilant App was developed to create a real-time communication channel between members of the public and law enforcement authorities.

He said the platform would enable citizens to report suspicious activities and security incidents more easily, provide useful information to the police and seek assistance without necessarily having to visit a police station.

“Effective policing depends significantly on the quality and timeliness of information available to all of us,” the IGP said.

The second initiative, the NPF-MTN Closed User Group Network, is designed to provide police formations and specialised units across the country with a dedicated and cost-effective communication network.

He stressed that members of the public have an important role to play in preventing crime, noting that technology could significantly expand the capacity of the police to monitor and respond to threats.

“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 said.

The IGP assured Nigerians that information submitted through the application would be handled with confidentiality and protected appropriately.