In a renewed effort to enhance public engagement and improve strategic communication within the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has flagged off the second phase of a specialised training programme for Police Public Relations Officers, PPROs, in collaboration with the CLEEN Foundation.

The training, which focuses on Social and Behavioural Change Communication, SBCC, and Gender-Based Violence, GBV, Prevention Strategies, commenced on Monday, and is scheduled to run through Thursday, in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The first phase of the programme was held from 24th to 26th June, 2025, in Kaduna State.

Declaring the event open on behalf of the IGP, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Oluhundare Jimoh, underscored the significance of equipping Police spokespersons with the communication tools necessary to drive public trust, transparency, and behavioural change across the country.

According to the IGP, the SBCC training is both timely and strategic, as it enhances the ability of PPROs to effectively manage public perception, counter misinformation, and foster empathetic engagement with citizens.

He noted that effective communication is essential in promoting accountability, professionalism, and community-oriented policing.

The ongoing second phase of the training features PPROs drawn from police formations across the southern region of Nigeria.

The programme will focus on critical modules including audience analysis, message design and delivery, behaviour change strategies, digital media utilisation, and community engagement techniques.

The Inspector-General reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to citizen-centered policing, emphasising that continuous training, institutional partnerships, and proactive communication remain central to building public confidence and strengthening the rule of law.

This collaborative effort with the CLEEN Foundation reflects the Police leadership’s growing emphasis on human-centered law enforcement, especially in tackling gender-based violence and deepening democratic policing through effective information management.