CSOs urge Acting IGP Disu to end police impunity
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Two civil society organisations have called on the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Ridwan Disu, to seize the current leadership transition as a critical opportunity for deep-rooted reforms within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
In a joint press statement issued on February 26, 2026, the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) welcomed Disu’s appointment while outlining nine priority actions they say must define his tenure.
The nine key demands of the group signed by Kemi Okenyodo of Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative and Okechukwu Nwanguma of RULAAC, include the following:
1. Upholding Security of Tenure — Strict adherence to the Police Act 2020’s provisions for defined tenure to ensure continuity and avoid policy disruptions.
2. Welfare Reform — Immediate payment of promotion arrears and retirement benefits, a nationwide welfare audit with published findings, transparent grievance mechanisms, and structured funding engagement with government and the National Assembly. They framed welfare improvements as a strategic anti-corruption measure.
3. Reversing Manpower Depletion — A comprehensive personnel audit, accelerated merit-based recruitment, rationalisation of non-core duties (such as VIP protection), strategic HR planning, and an end to premature retirements of senior officers like DIGs and AIGs upon a new IGP’s appointment, which they say drains institutional memory.
4. Institutional Planning and Transparency — Development and publication of a costed Annual Policing Plan with clear priorities, resource allocation, performance indicators, and oversight benchmarks.
5. Gazetting and Enforcing Regulations — Full publication, dissemination, and operationalisation of all regulations under the Police Act 2020 through timelines, directives, and training.
6. Reconstituting the Police Service Commission — Urgent realignment of its composition to comply with the law, ensuring stronger civilian oversight (currently criticised for including only two judges and three retired officers).
7. Ending Impunity and Addressing Past Abuses — Independent probes into allegations linked to units like “Tiger Base” in Imo State and legacy issues in Awkuzu, Anambra; prosecutions where evidence exists; whistleblower protection; and dismantling abusive cultures.
8. Combating Corruption — Strengthening Internal Affairs, adopting digital case/custody systems, enforcing arrest/detention safeguards, zero tolerance for torture, and full compliance with court orders (including ECOWAS Court judgments).
9. Promoting Equality and Neutrality — Non-discriminatory recruitment/postings, gender-responsive training, safeguards against sexual harassment, and strict electoral non-partisanship.
The organisations emphasised that “Nigeria needs a police institution trusted by citizens, respected by the judiciary, and supported by its personnel.”
They warned against normalising practices like premature senior retirements or welfare neglect, calling for rule-of-law compliance to be non-negotiable.
