ABUJA – Nigeria’s federal police force has begun a transition toward green energy with the commissioning of a new fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The move is part of a broader strategic shift to modernize the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) while slashing the high operational costs associated with traditional fuels.
A modernised patrol
The initiative was unveiled during a high-level working visit to the Police Headquarters in Abuja, led by Barr. Ismael Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG). Accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, the delegation met with the Inspector General of Police and the Force Senior Command to officially hand over the newly acquired vehicles. According to Ahmed, the introduction of CNG-powered transport is expected to:
Enhance Mobility: Increasing the frequency and range of police logistics.
Cut Costs: Significantly reducing the Force’s expenditure on petrol and diesel.
Environmental Impact: Aligning Nigeria’s security apparatus with cleaner energy standards.
Infrastructure and Training
The transition extends beyond the vehicles themselves. To ensure the sustainability of the project, a nationwide rollout of refueling and charging infrastructure is planned within police barracks.”This is a practical step toward improving efficiency and equipping the Force with modern tools,” Ahmed stated. “Our engagement focuses on deepening collaboration to scale the adoption of alternative fuel mobility across the board.”To support the technical demands of the new fleet, the government has already commenced specialized training for police officers. These programs cover:
Vehicle Conversion: Technical skills to transition existing internal combustion engines to CNG.
EV Maintenance: Basic handling and servicing of electric vehicles.
The road ahead
The Nigerian government intends to progressively convert the Police’s extensive existing fleet to align with these new mobility solutions. The shift comes as Nigeria continues to seek alternatives to expensive fossil fuels following significant subsidy reforms, positioning the NPF as a lead agency in the country’s “green” transition.
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