*Nigerians mock, advise him to visit police cells, road blocks, hear from detainees

The newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, on Wednesday assumed office, pledging to prioritise respect for human rights by the police, phase out impunity and ensure police officers are well trained and motivated.

Speaking after taking over command of the Nigeria Police Force from his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Disu said “the Police is endowed with brave and professional officers whose institutional knowledge, passion and resilience have enabled the country to overcome difficult security situations”.

Disu was appointed on Tuesday by President Tinubu after resignation of the former police boss, Kayode Egbetokun. 

He arrived Louis Edet House at about 4:37pm on Wednesday, barely one hour after he was decorated at the Presidential Villa by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with his new rank of IGP.

Accompanied by senior officers from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command, Intelligence Response Unit and Force Headquarters, Disu was ushered in with ceremonial salute from the Quarter Guards.

The acting IGP, while acknowledging existing challenges within the Force, including a trust deficit with communities, outdated systems, resource gaps and instances of misconduct, outlined three priorities for his tenure – professionalism and modernisation; accountability and integrity; and community partnership.

On professionalism, he said the Force would embrace intelligence-led policing, forensic investigation, digital tools and evidence-based practices, adding that officers would be better trained and equipped.

Addressing accountability, he declared that “impunity would not be tolerated under my leadership”, stressing that “disciplinary measures would apply across all ranks without exception”.

He said, “I will say this plainly, the days of impunity are over. The badge is a symbol of public trust. Anyone who treats it otherwise will face the full consequences of our disciplinary processes.

“This applies at every rank, without exception, including those closest to me. I will not ask the public to trust a Service that does not first hold itself accountable.

“We will strengthen our internal oversight mechanisms, make our processes more transparent, and mean what we say when we speak of the rule of law.”

He also pledged to strengthen internal oversight mechanisms and promote transparency in line with the rule of law.

On community partnership, Disu said effective policing requires collaboration with the public, noting that community policing would become central to the operations of the Force.

He urged officers to uphold integrity, compassion and courage in the discharge of their duties, while assuring them of improved welfare and dignified working conditions.

The acting IG also called on Nigerians to partner with the police by reporting crimes, engaging with officers and holding the institution accountable when necessary.

*Nigerians mock new IGP

Cross section of Nigerians reacting to his maiden promises, mocked him, saying he has nothing to offer except to repeat what his predecessors have said upon assuming office.

They noted that since Disu claimed to be aware of the high level of impunity within the Police, a simple visit to police cells to privately interact with detainees, would make the IGP appreciate the level of decay within the police.

“How can Disu, a former VP in Lagos and FCT, where police impunity reigns supreme, simply repeat what his predecessors had said without doing anything. We don’t believe him at all.

“He should just publish within the next two to three weeks policemen who have been indicted for violating people’s human rights or those who brazenly collect money from people across the nation’s highways.

“If the IGP mounts camera in all police interrogation rooms, he will see how policemen violate people human dignity and rights compelling people to accept what they never did just to please those who has paid the investigators.

“Disu know that the Nigeria Police Force is a rotten egg and if he still feels he can deceive people with beautiful rhetoric, it all means he has set out to fail in his assignment,” the sources which preferred anonymity stated.