The United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, alongside United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, on Tuesday donated refurbished evidence storage facility to Gombe State Police Command.
Deputy Director, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement United States Department of State US Embassy, Abuja Walter Quintanilla, said the project was to strengthen the capacity of Nigeria to collect evidence and more effectively prosecute terrorism and other serious crimes.
“With respect for the rule of law funded by the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that the handover ceremony of the refurbished evidence storage facility was geared towards boosting the morale of the State Criminal Investigation Department Nigeria Police Force, Gombe.
The facility is expected to ensure proper utilisation of evidence in order to serve justice accurately and fairly.
Quintanilla said, “It shows our commitment to excellence at the heart of our mission at the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law enforcement at the United States Embassy.
“We are dedicated to combating narcotics counterfeiting and enhancing global cooperation. The Bureau of International Narcotics works tirelessly alongside domestic and international enforcement agencies by providing trainings to fight crimes effectively through it efforts, the Bureau supports legal framework.”
While harping that the facility would ensure rule of law Quintanilla added, “The process of evidence collection and storage stands a cornerstone of our judicial system not only United States but also across the world including Nigeria ensuring the essence of the rule of law, proper evidence management is crucial. It ensures justice is served fairly and accurately protecting the rights of individuals while holding offenders accountable. It’s a reaffirmation of the dedication to preserving the integrity of evidence, catalogued, accessible maintaining its value to ensure it can contribute to justice. It ensures not only national but global security of justice by fostering partnership and best practices.”
Also speaking, Commissioner of Police, Gombe State, Hayatu Usman, lauded the support from the donors saying that it would ensure justice.
“In a world where evidence can determine the outcome of case the importance of evidence stage can’t be overstated,” Usman added.
On his part, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Colonel Abdullahi Bello, commended the partnership, while urging for more donations.
Bello said, “We thank you for this partnership but Like Oliver Twist we are asking for more.”
