The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has declared that reform within the Nigeria Police Force is already underway, stressing that excellence, accountability and decisive leadership will define his administration.
By Peterside Rejoice
Speaking at a conference of senior officers and the inauguration of a Committee on State Policing, the IGP said the current leadership would support officers who work diligently and uphold the honour of the Force, but would not compromise on standards.
“This leadership will stand with those who work diligently and who uphold the honour of the Force. Support will be given, but excellence will be demanded. Change is not coming; it is here, and it will be for the better,” he said.
He called on senior officers to align with his vision and demonstrate firm, decisive leadership within their respective commands, noting that history would judge the Force not by its intentions but by its actions. According to him, the Police must build an institution that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians and earns public confidence daily.
The IGP expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the trust reposed in him, assuring the President and citizens that he would discharge his duties with diligence, integrity, courage and unwavering commitment to national security.
Addressing Nigerians directly, Disu described the Police as partners of the people, emphasising that effective policing requires cooperation, trust and civic responsibility. He urged citizens to obey the law, report criminal and suspicious activities promptly, and actively support law enforcement efforts to build a safer nation.
“We cannot succeed without your cooperation, your trust and your engagement. Let us recommit ourselves to unity of purpose, clarity of mission and excellence in service. If we do this, we will not only secure Nigeria; we will strengthen its future,” he stated.
A major highlight of the event was the formal inauguration of a Committee on State Policing, which the IGP described as both significant and timely given evolving security challenges across the country. He noted that the committee’s work would help shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria in a way that strengthens rather than fragments the national security structure.
According to him, the committee is expected to review policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and risks across the country, propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures, and address critical issues such as recruitment, training standards, funding and resource allocation. It is also tasked with developing strong accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
Disu explained that if thoughtfully designed and properly implemented, state policing could bring law enforcement closer to local communities, deepen understanding of local security dynamics and enable faster, more targeted responses to emerging threats. He added that decentralising certain policing responsibilities would allow state governments and local authorities to respond more efficiently to specific security challenges within their jurisdictions, while the Federal Government focuses on broader national priorities.
He reassured officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force that their constitutional role as the primary national law enforcement institution remains intact and indispensable. The proposed arrangement, he said, is about strategy and partnership, not competition or duplication.
“The division will be one of strategy, not competition; partnership, not duplication,” he said, urging members of the committee to approach their assignment with professionalism, objectivity and patriotism.
During a question-and-answer session with journalists, the IGP disclosed that the committee has been given four weeks to submit its report to ensure a thorough and comprehensive job. Responding to concerns that state governments might misuse state police for political purposes, he assured that the committee would take such fears into account in its deliberations and consult widely with stakeholders.
He noted that Nigeria would not be the first country to adopt a state policing structure and stressed that safeguards would be considered to preserve national cohesion and security coordination.
The event concluded with a charge to officers to engage productively, lead courageously and uphold the highest ideals of the policing profession, as the Force seeks to restore pride internally and rebuild trust externally.
