The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu, has said that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will leverage forensic and DNA studies to investigate criminal cases.
DIG Argungu acknowledged that crime has become scientific and transcends national boundaries, stressing the need to embrace forensic and DNA studies.
He made these remarks when he hosted a delegation from the Center for Forensic Programmes and DNA Studies at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor Christopher Osunbor, on Monday.
The delegation included the Director, Forensics and DNA Centre, Prof. Eddy Ehikhamenor; the Deputy Registrar and Head, Public Relations and Protocol, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire; and the Deputy Registrar and Head of the Abuja Liason Office, Mr. Lucky Ikhalo.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani.
The PSC Chairman explained that the knowledge of forensic programmes and the use of DNA in investigations would go a long way in assisting the Police and the Commission, as an oversight body, in handling delicate criminal cases across the country.
He directed that the Directors of Human Resource Management and Legal Services at the Commission to immediately engage with the Center and establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a partnership that would also be extended to the NPF.
Argungu affirmed that it would be to the advantage of both the Commission and the Nigeria Police to embrace forensic and DNA studies, emphasising that the knowledge is also valuable across professions, as it plays a vital role in policy formulation and implementation.
He added the Commission will partner with the Center for Forensic Programmes and DNA Studies (CEFPADS) at UNIBEN.
On his part, Prof. Osunbor stated that the team visited the Commission to explore collaboration opportunities with the PSC and the Police, highlighting the importance of forensic programmes and DNA studies in modern law enforcement.
He mentioned that the Center’s programmes are “critical to the kind of jobs security agencies are involved in”, and expressed readiness to offer services aligned with the Commission’s mandate.
Prof. Ehikhamenor, who gave an overview of the Center’s operations, said that its mandate is built on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model aimed at establishing sustainable molecular laboratory, devoid of strikes or bureaucracy.
He highlighted the Center’s objectives, including bridging the gap in forensic and DNA capabilities between “the haves and have-nots” in Nigeria, and ensuring appropriate conviction of criminals on all aspect of development.
The Director also noted the Center aims to assist in developing national DNA database for both research and criminal investigations, and to provide platforms for all forensic screening during epidemics or pandemics involving pathogens such as COVID-19, bacteria, among others.
“The Center is to design academic curriculum at diploma, undergraduate, post graduate and post doctoral level for beneficiary Nigeria Universities. It also organizes forensic educational training with research to make them eligible to be certified as DNA Analyst or Forensic Analyst with support from our partners in developed countries,” he remarked.
Ehikhamenor further outlined the advantages of the Center, including helping to establish identity of mass casualties and unknown victims, whether dead or alive, and providing templates for regular capacity building for stakeholders such as the DSS, Police and the Military.
He disclosed that the Center currently aims to offer 12-20 annual postgraduate admission slots for police officers, depending on funding, and collaborate to perform forensic screenings for alcohol and drug use among arrested suspects nationwide under investigation.
