By Nkechi Eze
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu has said every police officer is an image-maker of the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the daily conduct of personnel directly influences public perception and confidence in policing.
Disu stated this on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), led by its President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr, on a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to an official statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the IGP emphasised the shared responsibility of the Police and NIPR to build public confidence through professionalism, transparency, fairness and effective communication.
“Every police officer is an image-maker of the Force, as the daily conduct of our personnel directly shapes public perception of policing,” Disu said.
The IGP reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to policing by consent and a service-oriented policing culture anchored on professionalism, empathy, accountability and respect for human rights.
He said effective communication remained critical to building stronger relationships between the Police and the public, while urging NIPR to support the Force with specialised communication training for police personnel.
“We need to develop a coherent messaging framework that will better project the sacrifices, dedication and contributions of our police officers to public safety and national security,” he said.
Disu also called for deeper collaboration with professional communication experts to strengthen the ability of police personnel to effectively communicate with members of the public and properly convey the work being done by the Force.
Earlier, the NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended the IGP for his professional accomplishments and briefed him on Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum and Africa Charter Forum at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
The forum is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates from 126 member countries of the Global Alliance for Public Relations.
The NIPR delegation sought the support of the Nigeria Police Force for security planning and coverage during the forum, while also inviting the IGP to serve as a keynote speaker and encouraging police officers to participate as registered delegates.
The engagement also underscored the importance of strategic communication in strengthening institutional credibility and public trust, particularly for security agencies whose personnel interact directly with citizens.
The delegation included the Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, fnipr; Dr. Suleiman Haruna, mnipr; Mr. Maryam Sanusi, fnipr; Mrs. Olubunmi Badejo, fnipr; Commandant Olusola Odumosu; Chief Uzoma Oyegbadu, fnipr; Chief Moji Makanjuola, MFR, fnipr; Mr. Stanley Ogadigo, fnipr, and other members.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to productive partnerships with professional bodies and relevant stakeholders in strengthening public trust, public safety and national security.
