In a move to strengthen police accountability and safeguard human rights, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Thursday met with leading civil society figures, pledging sweeping reforms across policing standards, officer welfare, and the Force’s complaint and monitoring systems.
The meeting, held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, brought together prominent human rights and governance advocates, including Femi Falana SAN, Mr. Adesina Oke of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADL), Barr. Okeke Chinwike of the African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), Mr. Barbara S. Magaji of Amnesty International, and Mr. Anietie Ewang of Human Rights Watch, among others.
“We congratulate IGP Disu on his appointment and welcome his vision of policing rooted in the protection of human rights,” said Femi Falana SAN.
“We urge strict adherence to the Nigeria Police Act 2020, including family notification upon arrest, the right to legal representation, and the prohibition of arrests for civil wrongs. Stronger accountability measures are essential to ensuring that officers respect constitutional guarantees.”
Responding to the delegation, IGP Disu expressed appreciation for civil society’s engagement and reaffirmed his commitment to people-centered policing.
“Effective policing is not just about fighting major crimes; it is about addressing the daily concerns of our citizens,” the IGP stated.
“We are committed to updating our training manuals, improving officer welfare, and enforcing strict directives against interference in civil matters. Transparency and accountability will remain central to all our operations.”
The IGP also highlighted reforms to the Force’s Complaint Response Unit and Monitoring Unit, emphasizing that citizen feedback will directly influence operational standards.
“We want the public to trust that their concerns are taken seriously. Every complaint will be treated with utmost diligence, and officers will be held accountable for misconduct,” he added.
The civil society delegates welcomed the commitment, describing the engagement as a positive step toward restoring confidence in policing.
“We are encouraged by the IGP’s readiness to work with civil society to ensure that policing is ethical, transparent, and respectful of human rights,” said Mr. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa.
The meeting underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s dedication to reform, accountability, and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure effective, citizen-focused policing nationwide.
“This is a defining moment for the Force. We are laying a foundation for policing that is professional, accountable, and people-oriented,” IGP Disu concluded.
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