The Nigeria Police Force has begun the implementation of the Police Specialized Services Automation Project (POSSAP), one of the government’s numerous steps toward police reform.

“POSSAP, an initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, is designed to automate the processing and management of the Force’s specialized services such as specialized Escort and Guard services, Police Extract, Police Character Certificate, Supernumerary Police Permit, Fingerprint Information, Police Investigation Report, and so on,” said Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a press statement in Abuja.

“With the implementation of this project, individuals and corporate entities in need of specialized police services will have access to these requests through an automated, seamless, transparent, and efficient process.”

“POSSAP was approved by the Federal Executive Council on July 14, 2021, following a memo presented by the Hon. Minister of Police Affairs.” POSSAP was subsequently launched on behalf of the Federal Government on June 2, 2022, at the Goodluck Jonathan International Peace Keeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, by the Minister of Police Affairs, Dr Maigari Dingyadi.

“The project’s goal is to simply automate the rendition of existing specialized services processes while reaping the added benefits of improved transparency, accountability, efficiency, and sustainability that technological solutions provide.” It will also benefit the Force by reducing reliance on the Federal Government for funding and improving personnel welfare.

“The automation project is being implemented in phases, with the pilot services being Police Character Certificate, Specialized Escort and Guard Services, and Police Extract, while other services will be added later.”

“It is pertinent to reveal that the Force has initiated engagements with internal and external stakeholders to ensure unison of purpose in order to achieve seamless transition to the automated platform,” the FPRO continued. As of now, players in some industry verticals such as banking, telecommunications, oil and gas, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassies, have been informed about this transition, which will be a continuous process.

“NPF’s specialized services are available through the POSSAP website, https://possap.gov.ng.” Applicants for police specialized services can get more information from Command PPROs and POSSAP Desk Officers in their respective State Criminal Investigations Departments (SCIDs) across the country.”