Public Safety: Nigeria Police urge citizens to activate ‘NPF Rescue Me!’ App in emergencies

*Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, Acting Inspector-General of Police, on a tour of the state-of-the-art National Command and Control Centre (C4i) facility, Abuja, stresses the digital mobile application provides a platform for citizens to quickly alert the Nigeria Police Force in emergency situations for safety

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In order to strengthen public safety and ensure security of lives and property of millions of Nigerians, Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has emphasised his commitment to integrating ‘smart policing’ strategies into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) via the ‘NPF Rescue Me! App, and other security measures.

The Police Chief stated this during when he recently concluded a comprehensive tour of the state-of-the-art National Command and Control Centre (C4i) facility and the Nigeria Police Crime and Incidence Database Centre (NPCIDC) at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja, FCT.

CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), stated the NPF mobile application provides a platform for citizens to quickly alert the Police Force in emergency situations.

The IGP also restated the importance of the digital tool, noting that the initiative is aimed at facilitating prompt response and assistance.

Egbetokun explained the ‘NPF Rescue Me!’ App initiative is in line with the vision of the Nigeria Police Force to foster stronger community engagement.

The statement also said: “The ‘NPF Rescue Me! App is available on both the ‘Android’ and ‘iOS’ application stores for free downloads and usage.”

During the tour, Adejobi further disclosed the IGP reiterated the efforts of the Police Force at adopting cutting-edge technologies and urged officers to fully leverage these tools to enhance their operations and improve service delivery to the citizens.

Egbetokun, therefore, directed all investigation units and Police formations across Nigeria to instantly reactivate the use of the applications installed at the NPCIDC.

According to him, the facility is where the biometrics and other relevant data/information of every suspect will be updated and kept for improved investigations and record keeping which will be readily available to police operatives to ensure a credible electronic criminal database to support investigations.

The statement as well noted: “Similarly, in addition to the Digitalised Central Motor Registry which is already operational, the NPF is working on innovating other areas paramount to security.

“Some of these which would be unveiled within the year include the Police Mobile Security Surveillance, which will among other things, capture all motor parks, commercial drivers operating daily in Nigeria, and passengers plying various routes, including hotel lodging data; and the Domestic Help Registration to create and manage a centrally accessible data of all domestic helps with verifiable previous employment data.”

Adejobi stated: “The Inspector-General of Police expressed his continuous commitment to modernising the Nigerian Police Force through the integration of smart policing strategies.

“The adoption of advanced technologies, such as the C4i facility, the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ and the NPCIDC will revolutionise law enforcement operations and strengthen the bond between the Police and the citizens.”