The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has announced that the “era of impunity is over” in the Nigeria Police Force, warning officers against misconduct, abuse of power, and unprofessional behaviour that could tarnish the force’s image nationwide.
Disu made the remarks on Friday during an official visit to the Edo State Police Command in Benin, where he addressed officers on the importance of discipline, professionalism, and accountability in policing.
The IGP cited recent cases of alleged police misconduct, including the shooting of a suspect in Delta State and extortion allegations involving officers in Port Harcourt. He condemned the shooting of a suspect who had already been apprehended by civilians and handed over to police officers.
“Is that what we are taught in the academy? How did it feel to disgrace the uniform and the force?” Disu questioned, emphasizing that the officers implicated in these incidents have been recommended for dismissal, with approvals already granted by the Police Service Commission. The case files have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal proceedings.
He further revealed that officers arrested for allegedly extorting residents in Port Harcourt were also recommended for dismissal, stating, “They moved around town arbitrarily arresting people and collecting money from ATMs.”
Disu stressed that the Nigerian Police Force is committed to rebuilding public trust and achieving global standards of professionalism. He encouraged officers to embrace accountability, saying, “We have the capacity to be the best police force in Africa, even the world, if we commit to professionalism and discipline.”
While condemning misconduct, the IGP also commended officers for their contributions in maintaining peace and security across the country. “It is not all bad. You have been the ones who have kept the country together as it is today,” he said.
Earlier, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, highlighted the command’s intensified intelligence-led policing. He noted successes against kidnapping, armed robbery, and cult-related crimes, and called for additional support in manpower, arms, and armoured vehicles to enhance security operations in the state.
