A new tone in the capital: Policing with tact, trust, and transparency
FCT Police Commissioner Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi
By Sonny Ogulewe
The Federal Capital Territory is a city of profound symbolic and strategic importance. Consequently, the tone of policing within it often reverberates far beyond its borders. It shapes public confidence, influences civic behaviour, and ultimately defines the lived experience of governance. It is against this backdrop that the emergence of a new Commissioner of Police in the FCT Command, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, has begun to attract commendation not merely for authority asserted, but for leadership thoughtfully exercised.
One need not be an ardent admirer of the Nigeria Police Force to appreciate this shift, particularly given the entrenched negative perceptions that have, over time, defined its relationship with the Nigerian public. Much of this sentiment is shaped by everyday encounters of ordinary citizens on highways and in public spaces, experiences that, while valid, may not always present the full picture, as a recent personal encounter suggests.
During a recent visit to the Commissioner, in the company of a friend whose property had been encroached upon by land grabbers, I witnessed a markedly different approach to policing. The Commissioner listened patiently, asked pertinent questions, and showed no regard for social status in addressing the complaint. By the end of the interaction, I had encountered perhaps for the first time a police officer whose disposition combined refinement, humanity, compassion, transparency, and tact. As we prepared to leave, my friend requested his phone number. Without hesitation, the Commissioner handed over his contact, written plainly on a notepad. Surprised, my friend asked if he was indeed the Commissioner of Police and could be so open with his personal contact. The response was a simple, knowing smile.
When this experience is juxtaposed with the conduct of the police during the recent ADC National Convention and the protest march at the INEC office in Abuja, a consistent pattern emerges: one that affirms that this is a different kind of leadership. What distinguishes the present leadership is not a departure from duty, but a refined reimagining of how duty is carried out. At the heart of this approach lies tact and an understated yet powerful instrument in law enforcement. Rather than relying solely on the visible weight of command, the Commissioner has demonstrated that discretion, emotional intelligence, and measured engagement can often achieve what force alone cannot. In a territory as diverse and dynamic as Abuja, such sensitivity is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
Equally compelling is the adoption of an open-door policy, a principle too often proclaimed but seldom practiced with sincerity. Under the current leadership, accessibility is no longer a ceremonial gesture but a living ethos. Citizens, community leaders, civil society actors, and even rank-and-file officers now encounter a listening ear where previously there may have been distance. This deliberate dismantling of barriers between the police and the policed marks a quiet revolution – one that replaces suspicion with dialogue and alienation with inclusion.
The results, though still unfolding, are already discernible. There is a perceptible easing of tension in routine interactions. Complaints are addressed with renewed urgency. Intelligence gathering has become more organic, as citizens feel increasingly invested in the safety architecture of their own communities. This is policing not as an imposition, but as a shared enterprise.
Crucially, this approach does not weaken authority; it strengthens it. Authority grounded in respect is far more enduring than that sustained by fear. By inviting scrutiny and encouraging participation, the Commissioner has elevated the moral standing of the force, aligning it more closely with the democratic ideals it is meant to protect.
In an era where public institutions are frequently criticised for opacity and rigidity, the FCT Police Command offers a refreshing counter-narrative, one that is perceptible even upon approaching the gates of the Command headquarters. It reminds us that leadership is not solely about the enforcement of laws, but also about the cultivation of trust. Security, in this sense, is not merely the absence of crime, but the presence of confidence in fairness, responsiveness, and justice.
The evolving story of policing in the FCT under this new stewardship is therefore more than an administrative update; it is a lesson in leadership. It underscores the enduring truth that meaningful change does not always arrive with fanfare. Sometimes, it resides in the quiet resolve to listen more, to engage better, and to lead with both firmness and grace. If sustained, this blend of tact and openness may well redefine the contours of policing in the nation’s capital and, in time, inspire a broader transformation across the country. It is, indeed, the beginning of an era defined by humility, humanity, and tact.
- Dr. Sonny Ogulewe writes from Abuja
