By Nkechi Eze
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has reaffirmed that intelligence-led policing, sustained training, and strengthened community collaboration remain central to ongoing efforts to reposition the Nigeria Police Force and address prevailing security challenges across the country.
Speaking on the evolving security landscape, the IGP emphasized that operational success is increasingly tied to the quality of intelligence available to law enforcement agencies, noting that recent gains have largely been driven by improved information flow from the public.
“We have put a lot of strategies in place, but at the core of it is rebuilding intelligence. Because we know that without intelligence, there can be no success,” he stated.
He explained that the growing cooperation from members of the public has significantly enhanced police operations, leading to more effective interventions and outcomes.
“The level of information coming to us now is really encouraging. People are cooperating, and that is why we are beginning to see results,” the IGP said.
Beyond intelligence gathering, IGP Disu highlighted ongoing capacity-building initiatives within the Force, revealing that extensive training programmes have been conducted to improve operational readiness and professionalism among officers.
“We are investing heavily in training. Recently, over 1,000 constables were trained to a high level of proficiency, including female officers who performed exceptionally well. Across commands, officers are being retrained and prepared for effective deployment,” he noted.
According to him, the objective is to ensure that personnel are not only operationally capable but also disciplined and aligned with modern policing standards.
“Our officers must be ready, professional, and properly equipped to respond. That is the standard we are enforcing,” he added.
Addressing concerns over the circulation of misleading and outdated videos portraying police misconduct, the IGP warned against deliberate attempts to incite public panic and undermine national security.
“Some of these videos are old, but they are being recirculated with new narratives. Some individuals are doing this deliberately. We must be careful not to create panic in our own country,” he cautioned.
He disclosed that law enforcement authorities have already taken action against individuals found culpable of spreading false information, including the arrest and prosecution of a suspect in the Federal Capital Territory who allegedly fabricated a video to incite fear.
“We arrested an individual who created a false video suggesting widespread violence in Abuja. He has been charged to court. We must all act responsibly,” the IGP stated.
While acknowledging ongoing investigations into other viral incidents, he maintained that the Force would only release verified information at the appropriate time.
“We have made progress in some of these cases, including arrests, but I will not speak on details until investigations are concluded,” he said.
The IGP also addressed the broader issue of public trust, admitting that isolated incidents of misconduct have continued to affect the image of the Force despite the sacrifices of many officers.
“Policemen are dying in the line of duty. They are getting injured while protecting Nigerians. But unfortunately, a few incidents have continued to damage public perception,” he said.
He described rebuilding trust between the police and citizens as a major priority, stressing that community policing remains a key strategy in achieving that goal.
“The issue of trust is a big challenge. That is why we are pushing community policing strongly. Commissioners of Police have been directed to engage communities regularly and share their contact details to improve accessibility and partnership,” IGP Disu explained.
He urged Nigerians to support ongoing reforms, emphasizing that national security is a collective responsibility.
“We do not have another country. This is the only nation we have, and we must all work together to secure it,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to institutional reform, the IGP noted that the Nigeria Police Force is undergoing a process of renewal aimed at restoring its integrity, strengthening operational effectiveness, and rebuilding public confidence.
“This is the police we have. We must continue to reform it, strengthen it, and make it work for all Nigerians,” he concluded.
