Challenges before IGP Disu

2026-03-18 - 00:43

The swearing-in of the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, IGP, Tunji Disu, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, comes at a defining moment for Nigeria. Public confidence in law enforcement is fragile, insecurity remains a national concern, and citizens are increasingly disillusioned about the ability of their government to protect them. IGP Disu’s coming must be more than a routine change of guards; it must signal a reset in vision, culture and performance. There is an urgent need to rebuild trust. Policing anywhere draws legitimacy not only from the law but also from the people’s consent and cooperation. In Nigeria, that consent has been strained by persistent allegations of police misconduct, abuse of power, and poor accountability. Nigeria’s security landscape is growing ever more complex amid violent crimes, kidnapping, drug trafficking, cultism, inhuman crimes, communal clashes and emerging threats in the digital space. The police must become smarter, not merely tougher. Intelligence-led policing, data-driven deployment, and investment in forensic and investigative capacity are critical. Crime prevention should receive as much emphasis as response. Modern tools, relevant technology, analytics and inter-agency intelligence sharing, must replace outdated, reactive methods. The IGP will be held to his words that the Force under him will invest in modern investigative tools, digital and cyber forensics, data analytics, surveillance technologies and scientific crime scene management. Disu should take police welfare personal. A force that is underpaid, overstretched and inadequately equipped cannot consistently deliver excellence. So, the new IGP should be a strong advocate for improved remuneration, insurance, housing, and psychological support for officers. Effectiveness cannot be achieved without addressing welfare and working conditions. Morale is a strategic asset in policing. When officers feel valued and protected, professionalism tends to improve. Nigeria’s police officers must be prepared for the realities of 21st-century law enforcement: cybercrime, financial crimes, terrorism, gender-based violence, and community relations through continuous training. Human rights education must be practical and not paid mere lip service. IGP Disu should also prepare himself and the Nigeria Police Force for the imminent implementation of State Police as recently affirmed by President Bola Tinubu. We urge him to be a strong advocate for decentralisation of policing to match with our explosive security challenges. Community policing must move beyond rhetoric to measurable deliverables. Local engagement, partnerships with traditional and civic leaders, and responsive neighbourhood-level policing can transform perceptions and outcomes. Citizens are more likely to share intelligence and cooperate with officers whom they see as allies rather than adversaries. As we look forward to the upcoming elections, political neutrality, operational integrity, and resistance to undue influences are essential to democratic stability. The Police Force should adequately prepare for the general election to help ensure its hitch-free conduct. IGP Disu should strive to leave the Force better than he met it.