The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has begun training operatives on the use of its new Criminal Database System, a reform aimed at shifting policing from traditional methods to intelligence-led approaches.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun declared the training open in Abuja on Thursday, telling participants that the database will serve as “the heartbeat of intelligence-led policing” and a tool to track repeat offenders, identify crime patterns and strengthen prosecutions.

He said the system would end the era of scattered files and forgotten cases, stressing that accurate record-keeping was vital for justice delivery and public trust in law enforcement.

“Without data, there is no memory. Without memory, there is no justice. But with data, there is no hiding place for criminals,” Egbetokun said.

The Criminal Database System will connect Nigeria’s policing structures with international platforms, including INTERPOL, the African Union Border Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

According to the police, this integration will help prevent criminals from exploiting borders and weak records to evade accountability.

The Inspector-General charged officers undergoing training to carry out their roles with discipline and integrity, warning that mishandling of records could undermine the system’s effectiveness. He described every entry into the database as a “vital weapon in the fight against crime.”

The project is a component of the wider Police Reform Agenda, introduced to modernise law enforcement after years of criticism over poor investigative capacity and weak documentation.

In the past, inadequate record systems have allowed offenders to slip through legal processes or reoffend undetected.

Egbetokun said the training will continue across all commands, with operatives expected to begin using the system in ongoing investigations within months.