The newly-appointed Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has formally endorsed the transition toward state policing, dismissing concerns that the move could jeopardise the roles of federal officers.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday after being officially sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the IGP reassured his rank and file that the proposed decentralisation represents a partnership rather than a threat.
State Policing: ‘No Fear’ Over Job Security – Disu
Addressing State House correspondents, Disu noted that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would be a proactive participant in the reform. He emphasised that the introduction of state-level law enforcement is a global standard that Nigeria is now ready to embrace.
“We want to ensure that the best thing is done,” the IGP stated. “State police has come to stay, and the police should be able to do their own part in making it succeed. The police are not afraid. Our jobs are not being taken. It’s just an issue of partnership.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Disu established a specialist committee to review the framework for state policing, ensuring the federal force remains at the heart of the transition.
“We don’t want it to seem as if others are taking decisions, and we, the most important people concerned, did not do anything,” he explained.
Monitoring Middle East Tensions
The IGP also addressed the domestic repercussions of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, noting that the police are on high alert to prevent local protests from escalating into disorder.
Acknowledging the diverse religious and ideological landscape in Nigeria, he confirmed that intelligence services are closely monitoring groups with international allegiances.
“Everywhere in the world, we are aware that is, what we call intelligence policing. Our ears are to the ground. We know we have groups of people, different kinds of Islamic sects in Nigeria. We have those who pay allegiance to this eastern part of the world as well,” he said.
He warned that events abroad often vibrate locally: “So we know if anything happens in the eastern part of the world, the repercussion will come to us. So we are putting all necessary actions. You can see policemen on patrol, and most importantly, we are talking to them to ensure that they do not take laws and orders into their hands.”
A Focus on Welfare and Service
Setting a new tone for his tenure, Mr Disu underscored a “people-first” philosophy, reminding his officers that they are public servants.
“I made up my mind to ensure that my officers get to know that we are working for the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the citizens of the country are our bosses,” he remarked.
The IGP concluded by highlighting the extreme personal cost of policing in Nigeria, citing the loss of 140 officers during his previous tenure as Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He pledged that officer welfare would be a priority under the Tinubu administration.
“The jobs are difficult. Men sleep out. A lot of people don’t have time to go back to their families. So the welfare is very vital, and I’m lucky to be working with a president who has made up his mind to give us whatever we want,” he said.
