By Palang Paul
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has declared his readiness to support the establishment of State Police in Nigeria, assuring officers that their positions remain secure.
Speaking at the State House on Wednesday after his official swearing-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the new IGP addressed concerns about the proposed policing reform while outlining his vision for the force.
“State police has come to stay, and the police should be able to do their own part in making it succeed,” Disu stated. “The police are not afraid. Our jobs are not being taken. It’s just an issue of partnership.”
The IGP also addressed growing concerns about potential protests linked to developments in the Middle East, emphasizing the force’s commitment to intelligence-led policing.
“Everywhere in the world, we practice what we call intelligence policing. Our ears are to the ground,” he explained. “We know we have groups of people, different kinds of Islamic sects in Nigeria. We have those who pay allegiance to the eastern part of the world as well. So we know if anything happens in the eastern part of the world, the repercussion will come to us.”
Disu outlined his approach to leadership, emphasizing a citizen-centered philosophy: “I made up my mind to ensure that my officers get to know that we are working for the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the citizens of the country are our bosses.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the IGP established a committee to review the state police framework, explaining that the force wants to actively participate in shaping the reform rather than having decisions made without their input.
Addressing officer welfare, Disu highlighted the dangerous nature of police work, recalling that during his tenure as FCT Commissioner, the force lost 140 officers in a single year.
“Our jobs are very difficult. Men sleep out. A lot of people don’t have time to go back to their families. So the welfare is very vital,” he said, expressing confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to providing necessary resources for the force.
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