The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has declared that the Nigeria Police Force under his leadership will not tolerate any form of conduct that undermines respect for human rights, erodes public confidence in the institution, or weakens the legitimacy of the country’s policing system.
The police chief made the declaration during his inaugural Conference with Senior Police Officers held at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, where he outlined his vision for institutional reforms and the strengthening of professionalism within the force. Addressing top officers at the event, Disu stressed that enforcing discipline and accountability would remain a central pillar of his leadership, warning that there would be “no sacred cows” in the pursuit of ethical policing and institutional integrity.
He emphasized that upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights are foundational to effective policing and national stability, noting that officers must consistently demonstrate conduct that inspires public confidence in the force. According to him, “By upholding this standard, we reinforce the rule of law and strengthen the moral authority upon which effective policing is built.”
He further stated that rebuilding trust between the police and the public would require decisive reforms to internal oversight systems, explaining that “To restore and sustain public confidence, our internal accountability mechanisms will be strengthened, revitalized, and isolated from undue influences.
The Force Provost, the Complaint Response Unit, and the X-Squad will be empowered to operate decisively, independently, and without fear or favour in the investigations of misconduct, abuse of authority, corruption, or unprofessional conduct.” The police chief also underscored the importance of personal and institutional responsibility among officers, insisting that professional loyalty should never extend to protecting wrongdoing within the force.
In his words, “The message must be clear: no officer is above the law. Citizens must feel safe and encouraged to report wrongdoings. Officers must understand that loyalty to the force does not extend to shielding misconduct or tolerating indiscipline.”
He added that strict disciplinary measures would be applied against officers found guilty of misconduct, stating unequivocally that “Under this leadership, there will be no sacred cows. Ranks, seniority, or position will offer no protection. Officers found culpable will face swift and appropriate disciplinary actions, including dismissal and prosecution where applicable.”
Confidence of the Public as the Foundation of Policing
In further remarks during the conference, Disu stressed that the authority exercised by the police goes beyond the powers conferred by statutes, explaining that public trust remains the true foundation upon which effective law enforcement rests.
According to him, when confidence in the police is weakened, the operational effectiveness of the institution is significantly diminished, making it more difficult for officers to carry out their duties effectively. Reflecting on the responsibilities of leadership, the IGP reminded senior officers that the positions they hold come with significant obligations not only to the institution but also to the Nigerian people whose safety and security they are sworn to protect.
“Leadership, it has been said, is not about the position one occupies, but the responsibility one accepts. Today, I stand before you fully conscious of the weight of this responsibility and the high expectation of our officers, our nation, and the Nigerian people,” he said.
Disu noted that the core mandate of the police must remain rooted in service to citizens and the defence of democratic principles, emphasizing that the duties of the force are practical responsibilities rather than theoretical ideals. He told the officers, “The Nigerian Police Force exists to serve the people, protect the nation, and uphold the rule of law. These are not abstract ideas; they are daily obligations.”
The IGP also assured that the culture of professionalism within the police would be strengthened under his administration, making it clear that accountability and transparency would become operational standards rather than rhetorical commitments. “Under my leadership, professionalism, accountability, and transparency shall not be a slogan. It shall be the standard,” he said.
Exercising Authority with Discipline and Restraint
Addressing the realities of modern policing, Disu reminded officers that law enforcement activities now take place in an environment of heightened public scrutiny, particularly in an era defined by rapid information dissemination and instant communication through digital platforms.
In such circumstances, he said, the conduct of individual officers often reflects immediately on the reputation and credibility of the entire police institution. The IGP therefore urged senior officers to lead by example by ensuring that the powers granted by the police uniform are exercised responsibly and with sound judgment.
“As leaders, we must continually remind ourselves of an enduring truth: Authority is strongest when it is exercised with restraint, fairness, and sound judgment,” he said. He further explained that while the police uniform provides officers with lawful powers to enforce the law and maintain public order, the legitimacy of those powers ultimately depends on how officers conduct themselves in their daily interactions with citizens.
According to him, “While the uniform confers lawful powers, it is our conduct, our words, our actions, and decisions that ultimately confer legitimacy. Respect for human rights is therefore not optional. It is fundamental to professional policing and central to sustaining public trust.”
The inaugural conference with senior police officers also served as a platform for the new police chief to communicate his leadership philosophy and expectations for the force moving forward. Through his address, Disu outlined a reform agenda centered on discipline, transparency, respect for human rights, and the strengthening of accountability mechanisms within the police hierarchy.