By Abubakar Yunusa
The newly appointed acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday declared that the era of impunity in the Nigeria Police Force is over, insisting that the badge must once again stand for public trust.
Disu made the declaration during his handing-over ceremony at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
In a firm and uncompromising tone, the acting IGP said accountability and integrity would define his leadership, stressing that no officer, regardless of rank or closeness to him, would be shielded from disciplinary measures.
“I will say this plainly, so there is no confusion: the days of impunity are over,” he stated.
“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.”
He maintained that public confidence in the Force would only be restored if the institution first holds itself accountable.
“I will not ask the public to trust a Service that does not first hold itself accountable,” Disu added, pledging to strengthen internal oversight and make police processes more transparent.
The 23rd indigenous IGP also signalled a shift towards deeper community engagement, saying modern policing cannot succeed without the people.
“No police service in the world has ever achieved lasting public safety by operating against its communities rather than within them,” he said.
“We will go to the people — to the markets, the town halls, the schools, the informal settlements — not to lecture, but to listen.”
According to him, community policing must move beyond rhetoric and become the operational philosophy of the Force.
“Community policing is not a programme. It is a philosophy, and it will become the heartbeat of how this Service operates,” he declared.
Addressing officers and men of the Force, Disu demanded professionalism and integrity, promising in return to prioritise their welfare.
“I will demand the best from you, because the people we serve deserve nothing less. Integrity. They are the job,” he said.
“But I make you this promise in return: I will fight for your welfare, your dignity, and the conditions you need to serve effectively. You will not be asked to perform miracles with nothing.”
He assured Nigerians that leadership under his watch would be visible and accountable, while calling on citizens to support the reform agenda.
“To the citizens of this nation, I ask for one thing above all else — your partnership. Report crime. Engage with your local officers. Hold us accountable when we fall short, and encourage us when we get it right,” he said.
Admitting that reforms would not come easy, Disu said he was prepared to take difficult decisions in order to transform the Force.
“There will be resistance. There will be hard calls. I intend to take the harder path every time,” he added.
He reaffirmed his commitment to building a police service that commands trust and earns respect across the country.
