The International Institute of Professional Security, IIPS, held a two-day criminal profiling training session for 91 police officers at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti Lagos, over the weekend.

Since taking office in March 2024, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Ahmed Lateef, has organised two events, including the training.

According to DCP Lateef, training police officers has always been my greatest ambition. “For officers to excel in their various departments, training is unavoidable. This is why I always go above and beyond to bring in experts to train my men because it has always been my greatest desire.”

Speaking to reporters about the training, State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Public Relations Officer, ASP Uthman Mogaji, stated that the training included 91 police officers as well as Industrial Training, and IT, students.

She explained, “We had training with people from the International Institute of Professional Security. The total number of officers involved was 91, including the Area Commander from Area D and all Divisional Police Officers (DPO) under his supervision.

“Six IT students also participated in the training. During the two-day lecture, the first trainer, Mr. Gbon Thomas, explained the difference between criminal profiling and the police investigation to the best of his abilities.

“After that, Mrs. Folashade gave us a lecture on social skills. She emphasised the skills needed to be a successful investigator, such as effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Her presentation made a significant impact. Dr. Tunji then took the stage to speak about leadership in the security department, covering topics like leadership laws, wisdom, humility, and decision-making. Every officer who attended the training gained valuable experience. Dr. Tunji also spoke about diplomacy and other relevant topics.

Mogaji added, “It was a two-day training with facilitators from the International Institute of Professional Security.” Dr. Tunji spent the first part of the day teaching us the fundamentals of pathfinding. He spoke about the goals and objectives of investigations, the characteristics of pathfinding, and the importance of impartiality and honesty. He also discussed the gathering of physical evidence.

“Another lecturer spoke about criminal profiling, citing Otega 1999 and emphasising the importance of relying on facts rather than assumptions. The lecture was informative and covered topics such as victimology.

Mogaji explained that the criteria for participation were open to all. There were no restrictions. Since DCP returned to office in March 2024, he has consistently scheduled training for us.”

The special anti-kidnapping operatives of the Delta State Police Command deployed to Ughelli axis have neutralised a suspected kidnapper in a gun duel during which three others were arrested and are presently in police custody.

The Command said one AK 49 rifle was recovered by the police team from the hideouts of the hoodlums, mentioning the investigation was ongoing.

This was contained in a statement signed by the police public relations officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.

The statement disclosed that the police team, acting on credible intelligence gathered over a period and an in-depth technical intelligence related to the kidnapping of one male victim (name withheld) kidnapped on 17th May 2024 at his residence in the Adjakota area in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State and later murdered by the kidnappers, cracked down the deadly kidnapping syndicate responsible for the act.

“The police operatives, on July 1, 2024, at about 1200hrs, reportedly stormed the hideouts of the suspected kidnappers and arrested one Ismaila Umaru (28), of Kekura village, Awe LGA of Nasarawa State but resident at Oghara town by Power Line in Delta State.

“Umaru, on July 4, 2024, at about 2030hrs, led operatives to the arrest of two other gang members namely Chede Mohammed, (18), a native of Nasarawa State but resident at Agwara in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State and Mohammadu Sani (26), a native of Banbiru area of Abuja but resident at Upper Agbarho Area of Ughelli North.

“Acting on their confession, the police team on July 5, at about 0530hrs, stormed the bush by Oviri-ogor in search for other gang members. The operatives however encountered an attack from the other gang members and during the gun duel, one of the suspects hiding in the bush sustained serious gunshot injuries and was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment,” the statement read partly.

According to PUNCH Metro recalls that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, on resumption of duty as the 22nd Police Commissioner in Delta State, reacted to the incessant kidnappings in Ughelli axis, which necessitated the change in the security architecture in Ughelli, and deployment of a new Divisional Police officer to Ugheli Division.

The CP also directed the deployment of a special operations team to Ughelli led by ASP Julius Robinson with a clear mandate to flush out kidnappers in the area.

The proactive measures taken by the CP have since been yielding positive dividends as manifested in the noticeable successes recorded so far by the special teams.