The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has issued a stern warning to Commissioners of Police and other senior officers across the country, declaring that illegal detention, extortion, abuse of office, corruption and other forms of misconduct by police personnel will no longer be tolerated under his leadership.
The warning was delivered on Tuesday during a meeting with Police Strategic Managers at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall in Abuja, where the police chief charged senior commanders to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force through professionalism, accountability and strict respect for the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
Addressing the gathering, Disu reminded the senior officers that effective policing begins with exemplary leadership, stressing that those entrusted with command responsibilities must set the standard for integrity, discipline and ethical conduct.
“Effective policing starts with effective leadership. As Commissioners of Police and strategic commanders, you are custodians of public confidence in your commands,” the IGP said.
He added that leadership should not be measured by the authority an officer possesses, but by the standards they uphold, the confidence they inspire and the results they deliver.
The IGP directed Commissioners of Police to ensure their commands remain fully prepared to tackle criminal activities while enforcing discipline among officers and guaranteeing that policing operations are carried out within the confines of the law and with full respect for human rights.
Expressing concern over persistent allegations of corruption, unlawful detention, extortion and abuse of authority by some officers, Disu warned that such misconduct continues to erode public trust and undermine the credibility of the Nigeria Police Force.
He declared that unethical practices capable of bringing the Force into disrepute would no longer be tolerated, insisting that every officer must be held accountable for their actions.
Disu also renewed his commitment to community policing, urging police commanders to strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, women’s organisations, community associations and other stakeholders to improve intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
According to him, genuine partnerships between the police and local communities remain critical to effective policing and sustainable public safety.
The police chief further stated that modern policing requires not only operational competence but also sound judgment, emotional intelligence, fairness and effective communication by officers occupying leadership positions.
The meeting also featured the decoration of newly promoted senior officers, with 13 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and 17 Commissioners of Police receiving their new ranks before their families, colleagues and well-wishers.
Congratulating the newly promoted officers, Disu urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by serving with integrity, fairness and unwavering dedication, reminding them that promotion comes with greater responsibility and higher expectations.
He reiterated that corruption, abuse of power and any conduct capable of tarnishing the image of the Nigeria Police Force would attract zero tolerance under his administration.
The latest warning comes amid persistent public complaints over allegations of unlawful arrests, prolonged detention of suspects without trial, extortion at police checkpoints and other human rights violations allegedly committed by police personnel across different parts of the country.
Disu maintained that restoring public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force will require ethical leadership, institutional discipline and strict adherence to the rule of law at every level of command.