Policing must reflect community realities, says Disu as panel on state police takes off

Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police,  on Wednesday declared that policing in Nigeria must reflect the realities of local communities.

Speaking at his inaugural conference with senior strategic police managers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre in Abuja, Disu said the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Nigeria Police Force depend largely on how well officers understand and respond to the social, cultural and security dynamics of the communities they serve.

He stressed that security cannot be sustained through central directives alone, but must be strengthened through grassroots engagement, intelligence sharing and enduring partnerships with traditional rulers, youth organisations, civil society groups and other local stakeholders.

While stopping short of endorsing a specific legislative model for state police, the IGP acknowledged that Nigeria’s evolving security environment requires structural innovation and deeper engagement with decentralised policing systems.

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He noted that although the NPF remains the lead agency for internal security under the 1999 Constitution, emerging threats demand adaptive and community-rooted approaches.

“Community policing will be a central pillar of our operational philosophy”, he said, emphasising that public trust remains the bedrock of policing legitimacy. “Security is a shared responsibility.”

Beyond structural reform, the IGP made clear that restoring public confidence in the Force would be an immediate priority.

He announced plans to strengthen internal accountability mechanisms, including the Force Provost, the Complaints Response Unit and the X-Squad, which he said would be empowered to investigate misconduct independently and without interference.

“No officer is above the law,” he declared, warning that corruption, extortion, unlawful detention and abuse of power would attract swift disciplinary action, including dismissal and prosecution where necessary.

According to him, statutory authority alone does not guarantee effectiveness; public trust ultimately determines the success of law enforcement.

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Disu also unveiled plans to transition the Force toward intelligence-led, evidence-based and technology-driven policing.

He said priority would be given to strengthening intelligence architecture, improving inter-unit coordination and investing in digital forensics, surveillance systems, cybercrime capabilities and scientific crime scene management.

“A modern Police Force cannot be anchored on outdated methods,” he said, stressing the need to move from reactive to proactive strategies to counter organised crime, cyber threats and transnational criminal networks.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the IGP underscored the Force’s responsibility in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic process.

He assured Nigerians that officers would enforce electoral laws with firmness, professionalism and strict neutrality.

“There will be zero tolerance for partisanship,” he warned, adding that any officer found compromising neutrality or violating electoral guidelines would face decisive sanctions.

He said the Police would secure voters, electoral officials, democratic institutions and critical infrastructure before, during and after the polls.

Disu also pledged to prioritise officers’ welfare, acknowledging that optimal performance cannot be achieved where personnel face poor living conditions.

He promised deliberate reforms targeting housing, remuneration, pensions, healthcare and psychological support.

“When officers are cared for, morale improves; when morale improves, performance follows,” he said.

The IGP thanked President Bola  Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and pledged diligence, integrity and unwavering commitment to national security.

Disu also inaugurated a high-level Steering Committee on the Establishment of State Police, describing the initiative as a pivotal step toward reinforcing Nigeria’s internal security architecture and advancing community-oriented policing.

He characterised the committee’s mandate as urgent and consequential, noting that Nigeria’s security landscape requires innovative strategies, collaborative governance and forward-looking reforms.

According to him, the panel is expected to design a workable framework through which State Police could operate in a manner that complements and reinforces the existing national security system.

“Its terms of reference include studying policing systems within Nigeria and internationally, assessing community security needs and emerging threats, and recommending an operational blueprint for State Police formations.

“The committee will also examine recruitment standards, training frameworks, funding models, resource management structures and oversight safeguards necessary to sustain accountability and public confidence”, he noted.

Disu said a properly structured State Police arrangement could enhance local intelligence gathering, shorten response times and deepen trust between communities and law enforcement, particularly where officers are familiar with local languages and socio-cultural contexts.

He clarified, however, that the reform proposal is not intended to supplant or weaken the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force. Rather, he described State Policing as a complementary structure within a harmonised national security framework.

“It is a model of synergy, not competition; partnership, not duplication,” he said.

The Steering Committee is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, Director-General of the National Institute for Police Studies, Jabi, Abuja. Other members include Bode Ojajuni (Secretary), Okebechi Agora,  Suleyman Gulma,  Ikechukwu Okafor, Tolulope Ipinmisho and Emmanuel Ojukwu (Rtd), Provost of the Police Public Relations School.

Declaring the committee formally inaugurated, the IGP expressed confidence that its recommendations would provide policymakers with a solid foundation for shaping the future of policing in Nigeria while upholding democratic principles and the rule of law.