The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has trained no fewer than 21 personnel of the Adamawa State Police Command on the techniques and methodologies of crime scene investigation.
UNODC funded by the European Union trained the operatives of the command mostly investigators at a 5-Days Workshop which it has organised and held at the Police Officers Mess in Yola, Adamawa state capital.
The event drew cross section of participants from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Intelligence Unit, Area Commands and Divisions, Crack Squad, and the Public Relations Office as well as some staff manning the laboratory department of the Modibbo Adama University(MAU), Yola, Adamawa state.
The workshop equipped participants with knowledge on crime scene investigation, with a view to enable them and by the extension the police command operate in line with United Nations standard.
More so, the investigators were exposed on how to collect first class information or exhibits at the scene of the crime, how to package and preserve them to ensure there is no contamination in the gathered in order to tender in the court of law for prosecution of offenders.
During the event, the participants were also divided in various groups and carried out practical aspects of the training where they collected exhibits at crime scene, packaged it and tendered before the Master Trainer and UNODC Consultant, Mr John Ayres, who was analysed it.
Earlier, in his opening remarks at the event, the Commissioner of Police, Morris Dankombo, extended the command's appreciation to the UNODC for its continuous support and effort in strengthening law enforcement capabilities by fostering international best practices in crime investigation.
CP Morris, who was represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) attached to the CID, Muhammed Ibrahim Agava, said that the workshop has provided a unique opportunity for them to enhance their knowledge, sharpen their skills, and adopt global standards in crime scene management.
"I am particularly pleased to note that participants have been drawn from key operational units, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Intelligence Unit, Area Commands and Divisions, Crack Squad, and the Public Relations Office. This diverse representation reflects our commitment to a multi-disciplinary approach to crime-solving—an approach that is essential in today’s evolving security landscape.
"In the face of emerging and complex criminal activities, continuous training and capacity-building are not just beneficial—they are indispensable. This workshop will undoubtedly equip you with advanced techniques and methodologies to improve the integrity of crime scene management, from evidence preservation to courtroom presentation." CP Morris stated.
The Police Boss said that the importance of crime scene investigation cannot be overstated, explaining that it is the foundation upon which successful prosecutions are built and that proper handling, collection, and analysis of evidence are critical in ensuring that justice is served fairly and efficiently.
He urged all participants to engage actively, share experiences, and embrace the innovative strategies that will be presented, and reminded them that knowledge gained at the event is not only for personal development but also for the collective advancement of the command’s operational effectiveness.
He further expressed gratitude to the UNODC for organizing timely workshop and equally thanked the EU for providing the support, expressing optimism that the collaboration between the command and international partners will continue to yield positive outcome in the fight against crime.
On his part, the National Coordinator UNODC, Mr. Musa Alim, encouraged the participants to avail themselves with the opportunity provided by UNODC to acquire knowledge in order to perform better in fighting crime.
Fielding questions, a Participant and Admin Officer CID, Stephen Yohanna, commended the organisers of the event aimed at training them for better performance in fighting crime and criminality in the society and thanked the organisers for the opportunity to learn.
Stephen disclosed that the participants were bequeathed with needed knowledge on how they are expected to conduct themselves at the scene of the crime by applying personal protection equipment and cordoning off the scene to enable them carry out their investigation effectively.
He said that they were thought on how investigators are expected to have a leader, sketcher, packager, photographer among others, explaining that the team leader is expected after investigation to package exhibits properly before tendering same as evidence in court so as to link the defender with the crime he allegedly committed.
Baring his mind, another Participant and Trained Evidence Custodian, Crime Scene Investigator attached to CID, Inspector Promise Lonco, thanked the UNODC for training them on how to go about crime scene investigation, describing the workshop as impacful and appreciated the command's support to UNODC to train its personnel.
Inspector Promise observed that nowadays crime being perpetrated are forensic based, and that the effort of the organisers is to ensure that the exhibits collected at scene of crime are taken to laboratory for analysis.
He said that the police command stands to benefit alot from the training because according to him Nigerians are always yearning for better services from the police and that the knowledge acquired will enable them do their best while carrying out their duties.
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