By Admin
The fact that Kayode Egbetokun retired and that Olatunji Disu became Nigeria’s new Inspector General of Police (IGP) is no longer news.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu tasked Disu with addressing the country’s security issues, including terrorism, banditry, and other crimes, when he was decorated as Acting IGP.
He gave Disu the responsibility of maintaining discipline and professionalism at all levels and making sure that protecting people and property always comes first. President Tinubu gave him his word and entire support, saying that even though it is a difficult task, he knew he could succeed. He conveyed his faith in the Acting IGP’s leadership ability, operational expertise, and discipline.
Disu’s appointment, according to President Tinubu, comes at a crucial time, and he is being urged to restore public trust in the police’s ability to work with other security forces. Disu was asked by President Tinubu to further the security pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
The 23rd IGP, Disu, has promised to base his term on community collaboration, professionalism, and responsibility. He has also made the decision to implement extensive changes in order to reposition the Nigeria Police Force for increased effectiveness and public trust. His first responsibility is to inform his men that the people are in charge and that corruption and impunity inside the force will not be tolerated.
But in the past, Nigerians have been accustomed to promises and pretentious words that have never been kept. Making promises is one thing, but keeping them is quite another. IGPs in the past never delivered.
Nothing has changed in terms of police reforms after the large-scale public demonstrations against police brutality in Nigeria in October 2020. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called attention to serious and pervasive violations, including widespread extortion, enforced disappearances, arbitrary and illegal arrests, prolonged and incommunicado detentions, physical and psychological torture, extrajudicial executions, and the indiscriminate use of excessive force.
The many infractions mentioned above must be addressed by the new IGP. In order to improve their public image, the police under his leadership should implement significant reforms.
To enable their officers to work in accordance with the law and the Constitution, the police should provide them with human rights education, training, and awareness campaigns.
A number of police officers have been connected to illegal actions, such as providing weapons to kidnappers and bandits. It is imperative that the police detect and remove any criminal members from their ranks.
Before letting their officers carry guns, the police should conduct mental and psychological assessments on them. This is to stop rash police officers from murdering defenceless Nigerians at checkpoints for a small amount of money.
In order to keep criminals from joining the service, the police should also reassess their recruitment screening procedure.
The incoming IGP should prioritize conditions of service and police wellbeing, although this is not a justification for poor performance or corruption. Nigerian police officers are underpaid, underequipped, and unmotivated to carry out their duties fully.
It is necessary to rebuild police barracks because some of them are in really poor shape. The Tinubu administration just started the police housing programme to give officers of all ranks access to reasonably priced housing.
Therefore, by addressing important areas of need, the welfare programmes should concentrate on raising the living conditions of police officers. In this manner, they won’t vent their resentment on the general public.
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