Dear Inspector General of Police,
Revival of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Strategic Deployment of Female Officers.
Growing up, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was a name that sent chills down our spines. It symbolized precision, intelligence, and fearlessness. As children, we believed that the CID could detect all our mischievous pranks. In our playful game of “Police and Thief,” most of us proudly took on the role of the police, imagining ourselves as CID officers, joyfully unraveling crimes—real or imagined.
Over time, however, the name “CID” has lost much of its meaning and impact. To many today, it is just another forgotten initialism. But a proper look at the history and the breakthroughs once achieved by the Nigeria Police Force in crime fighting will remind us of the department’s once-vital role in securing our society.
During my undergraduate studies, I wrote my long essay on the Nigeria Police. That experience gave me an insight into the institution’s depth, potential, and capacity. I can boldly say the Nigeria Police is a complete package—if only it is properly managed, equipped, and given the respect and investment it deserves. Under the right conditions, the Police can truly make Nigeria a safe haven.
Sadly, successive governments have not been fair to the Police. Rather than strengthen it, parts of the Police Force have been carved out and repackaged as independent agencies—EFCC, ICPC, FRSC, NSCDC, among others. These new agencies receive substantial funding and public recognition, while the core Police structure is left to grapple with poor funding and low morale. Consider this: an EFCC prosecutor arrives in court in an air-conditioned SUV, while a Police prosecutor often mounts a commercial bike to make it to court. Their attitudes toward justice, shaped by such contrasting experiences, cannot be the same.
Meanwhile, crime in Nigeria has evolved. The idle mind is no longer just the devil’s workshop—it’s now his laptop. Cybercrime, financial fraud, organized criminal networks, and gender-based violence are on the rise. Unemployment and systemic failure have pushed even the innocent toward crime. The Police must rise to the occasion to prevent an imminent collapse of law and order.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Police Headquarters—Louis Edet House—in Abuja. I was impressed by the modern Legal Department and the clean, well-maintained environment. I must commend your leadership for this transformation. That facility deserves to be fondly nicknamed the “White House.” 
As I walked through the premises, I was greeted by smartly dressed, professional-looking female officers. Their presence was both impressive and inspiring. I couldn’t help but wonder: Are we maximizing the potential of our female officers? Their poise, attention to detail, and calm demeanor could be invaluable, particularly in sensitive investigations like gender-based violence, domestic abuse, human trafficking, child exploitation, and cybercrimes. Many victims of such crimes would feel more comfortable opening up to female officers, which can improve case outcomes and rebuild public trust.
I respectfully propose a strategic redeployment and increased visibility of female officers, especially in investigative units like the CID. Empowering and equipping them with the necessary tools, training, and authority will go a long way in modernizing policing and making it more community-centered and responsive.
More importantly, I call for a revival of the CID—not just in name, but in structure, capability, and public engagement. Let CID be a brand once more. Let it inspire confidence in citizens and fear in criminals. Let it attract our best brains—men and women—trained in both conventional and digital crime detection.
Your tenure as Inspector General offers a unique opportunity to lay this foundation. History will remember you not just for administrative reforms, but for redefining the very image and effectiveness of policing in Nigeria.
Thank you for your service to the nation. I remain hopeful that under your watch, we will see a Police Force that truly serves and protects, with pride and purpose.
•Christopher Areghan Eichie, Esq.
Principal Partner, C. A. Eichie & Co.
