The Nigeria Police Force is strengthening its international partnerships to improve security, enhance professional policing and deepen engagement with foreign communities operating in the country.

The latest development followed a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, where the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge, AIG Simeon Akpanudom, received the delegation.

Led by the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, the delegation included Second Secretary Alexander Liu Kai and Third Secretary Ricky.

The visit was aimed at further strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and China, particularly in the areas of security, culture, economic development and people-to-people relations.

Yuqing expressed appreciation for the longstanding cordial relationship between the two countries and commended the Police, especially the FCID Annex, for its role in maintaining law and order, combating crime and protecting citizens, residents and foreign nationals.

She specifically acknowledged the Police for providing security for Chinese nationals, businesses and other Chinese interests operating in Nigeria.

The Consul General disclosed that the Consulate was exploring a special cultural exchange programme and a capacity-development seminar on exporting to China, which would create opportunities for Nigerian police officers to participate in knowledge-sharing and professional interactions.

She also invited AIG Akpanudom and members of the FCID Annex leadership to celebrations marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, describing the event as an opportunity to promote cultural understanding and friendship between the two countries.

As part of its support for police welfare, the Chinese Consulate offered to organise a medical outreach programme focused on eye health, including eye screening and basic eye-care services for personnel of the FCID Annex.

Yuqing further pledged continued cooperation between the Chinese community and the Police, particularly through the timely sharing of information that could support crime prevention, intelligence gathering and criminal investigations.

Responding, Akpanudom welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the Consulate’s continued commitment to strengthening relations with the Nigeria Police Force.

He assured the delegation that the Police would continue to provide a secure environment for Chinese nationals, businesses and other foreign residents in Nigeria.

The AIG also welcomed the proposed cultural exchange programme, capacity-development seminar and medical outreach, noting that the initiatives would promote knowledge-sharing, professional development and improved staff welfare.

He encouraged sustained information-sharing between the Chinese community and the Police, stressing that effective cooperation was critical to preventing and combating crime.

Akpanudom also expressed support for initiatives to promote Chinese-language learning among police personnel, noting that improved language skills could enhance communication, mutual understanding and operational cooperation between the Police and the Chinese community.

The engagement underscores the Police’s growing emphasis on intelligence-sharing, international partnerships, professional development and community participation as key components of efforts to address the country’s evolving security challenges.