Inspector General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has convened all heads of Police medical facilities nationwide for the inaugural National Police Medical Conference in Abuja. The meeting, held at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan International Peacekeeping Hall, brought together medical commanders, senior officers, partners and key stakeholders in the Nigeria Police healthcare system.
The conference, themed “Transforming Policing in Nigeria The Evolving Role of the Directorate of Force Medical Services,” focused on strengthening the medical support that underpins police operations. In his keynote address, Egbetokun reaffirmed that personnel welfare and well being remain central to his policing vision and are critical to operational readiness and national security.
He noted that the upgrade of Police Medical Services to a full fledged Directorate in August 2025 marked a major milestone for officer welfare and standardised healthcare delivery. According to him, the Nigeria Police Force now operates one of the most extensive and active law enforcement medical networks in Africa, with 164 hospitals, clinics and medical posts serving officers, their families and nearby communities.
Egbetokun said this wide coverage is essential to building a modern, professionally competent Police Force. He stressed that improved healthcare capacity and consistent support services will help officers perform better and stay healthier on and off duty.
Force Medical Director AIG Nkechi I Eze thanked the IGP for his sustained backing and reforms in the health directorate. She outlined the unit’s expanded mandate, which now covers preventive medicine, trauma and emergency care, medical training and contributions to national health response efforts.
Eze expressed confidence that ongoing support from the IGP and development partners will speed up the modernisation of Police healthcare. She said the goal is to deliver more responsive, efficient and professional medical services across all Commands and Formations.
A key highlight of the conference was the launch of the “Know Your Numbers” campaign, a nationwide preventive health initiative approved by the IGP. The campaign urges officers to routinely check vital indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar, pulse rate and hepatitis or HIV status to cut avoidable health risks and promote longer, healthier lives in the Force.
Egbetokun reaffirmed his commitment to building a resilient and responsive policing system with officer health at its core. He said prioritising welfare, particularly medical care, will remain a key pillar of institutional strength for the Nigeria Police Force.