There will be ‘no sacred cows,’ IGP Disu warns Police officers

Says respect for human rights not optional but fundamental to professional policing 

Inaugurates 8-man committee on implementation of state police

Emeka Agu with agency report

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday, warned personnel of the law enforcement organisation that the Nigeria Police under his leadership will not condone any conduct that undermines respect for human rights, weakens public confidence in the agency, and erodes institutional legitimacy.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, swore in Disu as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police at the State House, Abuja.

Disu gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja during his maiden conference with Strategic Police Managers, consisting of officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above, saying there would be “no sacred cows”.

The IGP while unveiling his reform agenda for the Nigeria Police Force, declared zero tolerance for misconduct, corruption, partisanship and abuse of power ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 “Let me state without ambiguity, there will be zero tolerance for partisanship, misconduct, or abuse of authority.

“Any officer found to have compromised neutrality, violated electoral laws, or acted outside approved rules of engagement will face swift and decisive disciplinary action, including prosecution where applicable.

“There will be no exceptions and no excuses,” he said.

He explained that respect for human rights is not optional but fundamental to professional policing and central to sustaining public trust.

“By upholding this standard, we reinforce the rule of law and strengthen the moral authority upon which effective policing is built.

“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,” Disu said.

“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.

“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,” he added.

The IGP further stated that police derive their authority not merely from statutes, but from public trust, adding that once that trust is weakened, the agency’s effectiveness is diminished.

“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.

“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,” he told the officers.

“Under my leadership, professionalism, accountability, and transparency shall not be a slogan. It shall be the standard.”

Disu reminded the officers that in an era of heightened public scrutiny and instant communication, “every action of the police reflects instantly on the entire police force”.

“As leaders, we must continually remind ourselves of an enduring truth: Authority is strongest when it is exercised with restraint, fairness, and sound judgment.

“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,” he added.

He said the responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force would become both heightened and non-negotiable as the 2027 general elections approaches.

Disu said the credibility of the electoral process, the stability of the nation’s democracy, and the confidence of the Nigerian people would depend largely on the conduct of the Nigeria Police Force.

According to him, in the discharge of this duty as the lead agency in election security management, the police must be firm in enforcing the law, impartial in its decisions, and professional in its conduct.

He said the force must be seen as strictly neutral in all electoral engagements and must secure the electoral process before, during, and after the elections.

The IGP said the force must protect democratic institutions, electoral officials, voters, and critical infrastructure, while ensuring that Nigerians exercise their civic rights freely, peacefully without fear or intimidation.

He said crowd management and public order duties would be carried out with restraint, proportionality, and strict adherence to human rights and the rule of law.

Disu said the use of force, where unavoidable, must always be lawful, measured, and accountable.

“While we will work with the Armed Forces, sister security agencies, and the intelligence community, the Nigeria Police Force will retain and discharge its leadership role with clarity of command and responsibility,” he said.

He said he was aware that no Police Force could perform optimally if its officers were burdened by neglect, adding that welfare of personnel would be a central focus of his administration.

According to him, issues of housing, remuneration, pensions, health, and overall well-being of officers would receive deliberate and sustained attention.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Olatunji Disu, has inaugurated an eight-man Committee on the implementation of State Police.

Inaugurating the Committee on State Police on Wednesday in Abuja, Disu said the committee had one month to submit its report.

He said the task before the committee was both significant and timely as it spoke directly to the reflective demand to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security.

He also said that the idea was to ensure that policing in Nigeria remained responsive to the reality on ground in the country.

“Across the nation, we continue to confront evolving security challenges. These require innovative thinking, strategic collaboration, and the willingness to explore reforms.

“This committee on state policing we are inaugurating today has a critical responsibility.

“Your work will help shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria in a manner that strengthens, rather than fragment national security system,” he said.

According to the IGP, in carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity and a clear appreciation of the unique complexity of policing in a diverse nation like Nigeria.

He added that the responsibility before the committee was to review existing police models within and outside Nigeria and assess community security needs and emerging risks.

Disu further said that the committee would also propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures as well as proffer ways to address issues relating to recruitment, training standards and resource allocation.

He said the committee would develop robust accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.

“If thoughtfully designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for our country.

“By bringing law enforcement closer to the communities, state police institutions can deepen the knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted response to emerging threats,” he said.

The police boss said that the decentralisation of certain policing responsibilities would ensure more efficient allocation of security resources.

He said state governments and local authorities would be better positioned to respond to specific security challenges within their jurisdiction, while the Federal Government continued to focus on broader national security priorities.

The IGP said the Nigerian Police Force would continue to play its constitutional role as a primary national law enforcement institution, responsible for maintaining internal security efficiently.

He also said that the Federal Police would concentrate more strategically on complex and transnational crimes such as terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, trafficking network and other serious security threats that required national coordination and specialised capacity.

”Let me therefore; reassure the officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force that their relevance, responsibilities and professional importance within Nigeria’s security architecture remain both intense and indispensable.

”The mission we seek is one of strategy, not competition, partnership, not duplication. I therefore urge you to approach your assignments with diligence, intellectual rigour and a deep sense of patriotism.

”The expectations of Nigerians are high and the outcome of your work will play a significant role in shaping the future of policing in our country,” he added.