In a bid to bridge classroom learning with real-world professional experience, students of the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Thomas Adewumi University, embarked on an educational visit to the Nigeria Police Force, Kwara State Command Headquarters, PMB 1394, Ilorin.
The academic excursion, held as part of the department’s professional development initiative, was led by Mr. Abayomi Ajibade, a lecturer in the department, who highlighted the purpose of the visit. Speaking during the visit, Mr. Ajibade explained that the initiative was conceived to expose students to first-hand knowledge of crime prevention, investigation processes, and internal operations of the Nigerian Police.
“Crime is inevitable in any human society, and as such, criminology will remain a vital field of study for eternity,” he said. “Thanks to the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) improvement on curriculum, we’ve been able to incorporate the professional aspect into the discipline, inviting seasoned professionals from the FRSC, NDLEA, Nigeria Correctional Service, and now, the Nigeria Police. Our students deemed it necessary to gain first-hand experience from the primary agency saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order.”
The students were warmly received by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), DCP Idachaba Ogwu, and his team, who conducted a comprehensive tour of the State CID. The tour included detailed explanations of the internal workings of various specialized units within the CID.
Students were exposed to the operational dynamics of several departments including: General Interrogation Units, Legal Section, Anti-Car Theft Department, Anti-Fraud Section, Anti-Robbery Squad, Surveillance Unit, Homicide (Death) Division, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Anti-Cultism Division, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Administrative Department, Detention Cells and Police Counter, and the Political and Human Rights Section. Each unit’s head provided a brief on their operational scope, challenges, and investigative techniques employed in real-life cases. Students observed closely and engaged actively with the officers to understand the roles played by each unit in maintaining law and order.
Following the tour, DCP Ogwu delivered an enlightening lecture on the structure and function of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo. He explained that the command is structured into three major departments — Finance and Administration, Criminal Investigation, and Operations — each overseen by a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
He further clarified that the CID handles criminal cases, particularly those brought through petitions or transferred from Area Commands, Divisional Offices, or other law enforcement agencies. According to DCP Ogwu, the CID also collaborates with Interpol and plays a crucial role in forensic investigations and high-profile case handling. “The State CID does not entertain walk-in cases; all cases are officially transferred from other police units or law enforcement agencies. We conduct forensic investigations and maintain global interactions through Interpol,” he noted.
The visit concluded with an interactive Question and Answer session, where students posed insightful questions and received professional perspectives on key issues in crime prevention and law enforcement. Faculty members from the Department of Criminology and Security Studies were also in attendance to support and guide the students throughout the visit.
This excursion represents a milestone in the academic development of TAU’s Criminology students, reinforcing the University’s commitment to providing students with practical learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom setting. Through engagements like this, TAU continues to empower its students with the knowledge and skills required for impactful careers in national and global security landscapes.
