The newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, whose appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, has inaugurated an eight-member committee to oversee the implementation of state police.
He announced that the State Police implementation committee is headed by Professor Olu Ogunsakin.
IGP Disu said that under his administration community policing would be prioritised. He urged state Commissioners of Police to deepen engagement with local communities, traditional institutions, and civil society groups, adding that collaboration with the public was critical for effective security management.
The Inspector General of Police who spoke at the maiden meeting with the leadership of Nigeria Police and senior police officers used the opportunity to reel out his mission and vision for the force that he envisaged would provide effective policing for the country.
According to him, professionalism, accountability, and transparency shall be the standards on which the administration would be anchored .
He also announced plans to strengthen internal oversight, directing that the Public Complaint Unit and X-Squad be empowered to operate independently.
The IGP, while noting that leadership is “not about position but responsibility,”said that professionalism and accountability must guide conduct and operations across commands nationwide.
He also said that authority is strongest when exercised with restraint and that respect for human rights must remain fundamental, adding that every Nigerian should be treated with dignity, fairness, and justice, regardless of status or background.
Welcoming the senior officers to the meeting, which he described as the beginning of a new administrative phase and the opening of a defining chapter in the life of the Nigerian police, said the police must remain committed to its core mandate of protecting lives and property while upholding the rule of law, noting that public trust is essential to effective policing.
He said that misconduct, including abuse of power, corruption, extortion, and unlawful detention, would not be tolerated just as he charged senior officers to lead by example and uphold the highest ethical standards.
The IGP said that no officer is above the law and that disciplinary actions, including dismissal and prosecution, would be applied where necessary.
The IGP while noting that respect for human rights is fundamental to professional policing, said that authority must be exercised with restraint, fairness, and sound judgment to maintain legitimacy.
He said that recruitment processes would be reviewed to ensure only qualified and competent individuals are enlisted into the force just as he said Training programmes, would be modernised to reflect current security realities and global best practices.
He assured that the Force would adopt intelligence-led and technology-driven policing methods, with increased investment in digital forensics, surveillance, and data analytics to tackle evolving security threats.
On the coming 2027 general elections, the IGP, said that the police would remain neutral and professional, and ensure the protection of voters, electoral officials, and critical infrastructure.
He warned that any officer found engaging in partisan activities or violating electoral laws would face strict disciplinary measures.
The IGP also pledged to prioritise the welfare of officers, including improvements in housing, remuneration, healthcare, and overall well-being, noting that better welfare would enhance morale and performance.