Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Wednesday, commissioned the Centre for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation (CeDFoCI) aimed at promptly tracking criminal activities in the state and beyond.
NewsNGR gathered that the initiative was in partnership with Godfrey Okoye University, and the Nigeria DNA Learning Centre. The event held at the university’s complex, Ugwuomu, Nike, Enugu.
Mbah described the Centre as one of the most important investments by his administration in the state’s security architecture in line with the Citizens’ Charter. He said while his administration had significantly reduced crimes, more work needed to be done.
In his words, “That is why we continue to invest, continue to innovate, and continue to strengthen the systems that keep our people safe. That brings us to why we are here today.
“The Centre strengthens our ability to investigate crimes, track criminals, support the work of law enforcement, and ensure that those who threaten the peace of our communities have fewer and fewer places to hide. Every crime scene leaves a trace. And we can now track that trace and use it as evidence.”
Mbah said the emergence of the Centre also comes with responsibilities and new ways of doing things for Enugu residents.
He said, “Henceforth, when crimes occur, keep a safe distance, promptly alert the authorities, and allow trained professionals to carry out their work. Every footprint, fingerprint, strand of hair, blood sample, or biological trace may contain crucial evidence. Once contaminated, such evidence may be lost.”
He said the Centre, though located in Enugu State, remains open for use by relevant agencies, organisations, professionals, and governments beyond its borders.
“This facility may be located here, but its significance extends far beyond our borders. It is our contribution to the quest for a justice system that is guided not by conjecture, but by evidence; not by suspicion, but by science.”
He lauded President Bola Tinubu’s policies, noting that “these reforms have allowed more funds to flow to states, enabling us to develop infrastructure at scale, including strengthening our security.”
He said the partnership with Godfrey Okoye University was consistent with his administration’s broader vision to create an ecosystem where learning institutions are not isolated from society’s challenges but are active participants in solving them.
Speaking, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, said, “The establishment of CeDFoCI places Enugu and Nigeria on the path of advanced jurisdictions that have integrated forensic science into the core of their security and justice architecture.
“This facility will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s forensic science capacity. It will equip law enforcement agencies with modern tools for criminal investigation, provide prosecutors with credible scientific evidence, assist the courts in reaching just outcomes, and improve the overall administration of criminal justice.”
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, commended the state and university’s collaboration, adding that CeDFoCI would strengthen the capacity and work of the police and build citizens’ confidence in the system.
“For the Nigeria Police Force, this Centre represents enormous opportunities to strengthen investigations into homicide, kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, sexual offences, human trafficking, missing persons, and other grave crimes.
“This Centre will equally provide opportunities for specialised training, scientific research, professional development, and knowledge exchange that will continue to improve investigative standards across our police formations,” he said.
