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By Oscar Okhifo
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force against misconduct and abuse of power, declaring that the era of impunity in the force is over.
Disu gave the warning during an official visit to the Edo State Police Command in Benin City, where he urged officers to embrace professionalism and conduct themselves in ways that would restore public trust in the force.
Addressing the officers, the IGP questioned whether they were satisfied with the current public perception of the Nigeria Police, stressing that the force had the capacity to become one of the best policing institutions in Africa and beyond.
“I’m here to discuss with you one-on-one. I want you to see me, at least physically. I want to discuss with you the aims and objectives of this administration and let you know what I expect from you,” he said.
“The first question is, are you happy about the situation of the Nigerian Police at the moment? Are you happy with the way we have been rated? I know you and I can do better. I know the stuff with which all of you are made. We are qualified to be the best police in Africa and even in the world if we want to do it.”
Disu recalled recent incidents involving police personnel in Delta State and Port Harcourt, describing the actions of the officers involved as disgraceful and damaging to the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
He also cited a case in Delta where an Assistant Superintendent of Police allegedly shot a suspect in broad daylight after the individual had already been apprehended and handed over to the police by members of the public.
He said the officers involved in the incident had already faced disciplinary measures.
Disu also referenced another incident involving rogue officers allegedly using operational vehicles to carry out illegal arrests and extort money from members of the public through ATM withdrawals.
He said the officers involved had been queried, subjected to disciplinary procedures, and recommended for dismissal, adding that their case files had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution.
The IGP stressed that the era of impunity in the Nigeria Police Force was over and called for collective efforts from officers and men to build a more professional and people-friendly institution.
“We have to have a new Nigerian Police Force. I cannot do it alone. That is why I have come to talk to you so that all of us will be on the same page,” he said.
“Do I have your cooperation that we are going to have a new police? Do I have your word that things will be better from now on? That we will not misbehave and make ourselves ashamed to wear the uniform?”
Earlier, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, expressed appreciation to the IGP for the visit, noting that the command had recorded significant progress in crime fighting through collaboration with sister security agencies in the state.
He, however, appealed for additional operational equipment to further strengthen the command’s capacity in tackling crime and improving security across Edo State