RLEI, RULAAC demand end to Police impunity, institutional reforms under acting IGP Disu

Civil society organisations have urged the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Ridwan Disu, to prioritise comprehensive reforms in the Nigeria Police Force, describing his appointment as a defining moment for institutional transformation.

The call was made in a joint press statement issued in Abuja by the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative (Partners West Africa – Nigeria) and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC).

The statement was signed by Executive Director, Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative (Partners West Africa – Nigeria), Kemi Okenyodo, and Executive Director, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Okechukwu Nwanguma, who both pledged their organisations’ readiness to engage constructively in advancing police reforms.

The organisations said the appointment of Disu comes at a critical juncture for the Nigeria Police Force, noting that while public expectations remain high, longstanding institutional challenges require urgent and credible reforms.

According to the groups, the new police leadership must take decisive steps to strengthen accountability, improve welfare for officers, and rebuild public trust in the law enforcement institution.

They stressed that adherence to the Police Act 2020, particularly provisions guaranteeing security of tenure for the Inspector-General of Police, would be vital in ensuring leadership stability and continuity in reform efforts.

The organisations warned that frequent leadership changes in the past had undermined long-term institutional planning and reform implementation.

They also called for urgent welfare reforms within the police force, noting that inadequate remuneration, poor living conditions in barracks, delayed promotions, and pension backlogs have continued to weaken morale among officers.

To address these concerns, the groups recommended the establishment of a transparent grievance redress mechanism, immediate payment of promotion arrears and retirement benefits, and a nationwide welfare audit with publicly available findings.

They further urged the police leadership to engage the Federal Government and National Assembly to secure predictable and needs-based funding for the force.

The civil society organisations expressed concern over the country’s low police-to-population ratio, which they said has overstretched operational capacity.

They also criticised the practice of retiring senior officers such as Deputy Inspectors-General and Assistant Inspectors-General deemed senior to a newly appointed Inspector-General, describing it as unnecessary and harmful to institutional memory.

According to them, such retirements weaken command continuity and create leadership gaps within the force.

The groups therefore called for a comprehensive personnel audit to identify operational and leadership gaps, accelerated merit-based recruitment, rationalisation of VIP protection duties, and strategic human-resource planning tied to a costed annual policing plan.

They also stressed the need for greater transparency and institutional planning, urging the Nigeria Police Force to develop and publish a costed Annual Policing Plan in line with the Police Act 2020.

Such a plan, they said, should clearly link strategic priorities with resource allocation, performance indicators, and oversight benchmarks.

The organisations also demanded the publication and enforcement of police regulations issued pursuant to the Police Act, noting that reforms cannot be effective if regulatory instruments remain inaccessible or poorly implemented.

On oversight, the groups called for the urgent reconstitution of the Police Service Commission in strict compliance with the law, arguing that the current composition of the commission does not align with the Police Service Commission Act and weakens civilian oversight of the police.

They further urged the Acting IGP to address past allegations of abuse linked to police units such as the “Tiger Base” in Imo State and the legacy of the Awkuzu unit in Anambra State.

According to them, independent investigations, prosecution of offenders where evidence exists, and protection for whistleblowers are necessary steps to rebuild public confidence.

The organisations also identified systemic corruption within the police system, including checkpoint extortion, bail racketeering, manipulation of case files, and diversion of operational funds.

To tackle these issues, they recommended strengthening the Internal Affairs mechanism, deploying digital case and custody management systems, enforcing arrest and detention safeguards, and ensuring strict compliance with court orders, including judgments of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

They also called for reforms promoting equality and professionalism within the force, including non-discriminatory recruitment and postings, gender-responsive training, safeguards against sexual harassment, and strict neutrality during elections.

Describing the moment as one of institutional reckoning, the organisations emphasised that stability of tenure, welfare reforms, manpower revitalisation, transparency, and accountability must form the foundation of the new leadership phase.

They added that Nigeria urgently needs a police institution trusted by citizens, respected by the judiciary, and supported by its personnel.