The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Thursday received a high-level delegation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, reiterating his commitment to strengthening accountability mechanisms within the Nigeria Police Force.
The delegation, led by prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), comprised stakeholders from the legal, human rights, governance, and security reform sectors. Among them were representatives of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADL), African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Yiaga Africa, CISLAC/Transparency International Nigeria, and Partners West Africa-Nigeria (PWAN).
Speaking during the engagement, Falana congratulated the IGP on his appointment and commended his vision of policing anchored on the protection of fundamental human rights. He, however, urged the police leadership to ensure strict compliance with the Nigeria Police Act 2020, particularly provisions relating to suspects’ rights, including timely notification of families upon arrest, access to legal representation, and the prohibition of arrests for civil disputes.
Falana further called for the strengthening of internal accountability systems to guarantee that officers who violate constitutional provisions are held responsible for their actions.
In his response, Disu expressed appreciation for the continued engagement of civil society actors, describing their role as critical to building public trust and institutional reform. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to people-centred policing, noting that effective law enforcement must address both high-level criminal activity and everyday concerns of citizens.
The IGP disclosed that ongoing reforms within the Force include the review and update of training manuals, improved welfare for officers, and the enforcement of strict directives against police involvement in civil matters. He also pledged to enhance the operations of the Complaint Response Unit and Monitoring Unit to ensure greater transparency and responsiveness.
Disu maintained that with sustained collaboration and reforms, effective policing in Nigeria is achievable, assuring that the Force remains committed to upholding accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights in all its operations.
