By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has vowed to enforce zero tolerance for corruption and human rights abuses during his tenure.
Disu stated this on Wednesday, February 25, shortly after President Bola Tinubu decorated him with his new rank at the State House, Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the ceremony, Disu outlined his priorities and declared that the era of impunity in the Nigeria Police Force is over.
He said: “I will let them (fellow policemen and women) know that the era of impunity is over. I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to follow human rights.
“I will ensure that they know that I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance to corruption. Most importantly, I’m going to drum it into them that we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.”
The new police chief said one of his first actions would be to address officers across the country to reorient them on citizen-centred policing, letting them know that Nigerian citizens, not politicians, are the ultimate bosses of the police.
He said: “One of the first lectures I’m going to have with my men, I’m going to talk to them, let them know that the citizen, the citizen of the country, is the boss.
“It’s very, very important for them to know that no police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.”
Disu revealed that the appointment came as a surprise, particularly when President Tinubu detailed his career achievements during the decoration ceremony.
He noted that the president’s knowledge about his career served as a challenge for him to work assiduously towards ensuring security and calm across the country.
“The president mentioned a lot of activities about me, areas I’ve worked, successes I’ve recorded as a policeman, these brought emotion to me, almost brought me to tears,” he said.
He also pledged to prioritise officers’ welfare, stressing that motivation is a key to improved performance.
The new police boss also expressed confidence in the police to address recent security challenges in the country, including banditry and insurgency.
The immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who attended the decoration ceremony, expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to lead the Force and to consolidate on his achievements.
He urged Disu to continue the reforms initiated during his tenure, including intelligence-led operations, inter-agency coordination, and dismantling criminal syndicates.
