The Canadian Police College and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have trained members of the Nigeria Police Force on effective investigation and management of complex and serious criminal incidents, a statement has said.

The statement was issued by the Public Affairs Office of the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.

It said Canadian police officials delivered the courses to Nigerian investigators to improve their capacity for major case and crime-scene management, evidence collection and preservation.

The High Commission added that the courses were also to improve the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force on kidnapping investigations as well as interviewing techniques and statement analysis.

It said the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Perry Calderwood, at the closing ceremony of the one-week long training courses, emphasised Canada’s commitment to assist Nigerian security personnel to combat crime.

“This has been an opportunity for law enforcement officials to learn and apply internationally recognised methods for major case and crime-scene management.

“The direct result will be an increase in the capacity to investigate serious offences and to obtain and analyse evidence that will bear judicial scrutiny in the prosecution of offenders.”

The High Commission said the security cooperation between Canada and Nigeria was built on the commitment made by Canada through the Bi-National Commission, established with Nigeria in 2012.

It said the commitment was to assist Nigerian security forces in combating terrorism.

“It is also in response to a request from the Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police Force seeking specialised training in these areas.

“In addition, the training is to build upon other training initiatives that Canada has implemented in partnership with the Nigerian Police Force in recent years.” (NAN)

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