—-Backs State Police, pledges better welfare for officers
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, ABUJA
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East amid concerns that tensions in the region could have repercussions in Nigeria.
Disu stated this while speaking with State House correspondents shortly after taking the oath of office as the 23rd indigenous IGP administered by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the police had intensified surveillance and patrols across the country to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
The new IGP said Nigeria’s security agencies are aware that some religious groups in the country maintain ideological affiliations with movements in the Middle East, making it necessary for authorities to remain vigilant whenever tensions escalate in that region.
He said, “Everywhere in the world, we are aware of what we call intelligence policing. Our ears are to the ground. We know we have groups of people and different kinds of Islamic sects in Nigeria.
“We also have those who pay allegiance to the eastern part of the world. So we know that if anything happens in the eastern part of the world, the repercussions will come to us.
“We are therefore taking all necessary action. You can see policemen on patrol, and most importantly, we are talking to them to ensure that they do not take the law into their own hands.”
He noted that any significant development in the Middle East could trigger reactions locally, stressing that the police were already taking precautionary steps to prevent possible unrest.
“We know that if anything happens in that part of the world, the repercussions could come here. So we are putting all necessary actions in place,” Disu added.
The police chief said officers had been deployed on patrol across strategic locations, while security agencies were also engaging religious and community leaders to ensure that individuals or groups do not resort to violence or take the law into their own hands.
“You can see policemen on patrol, and most importantly, we are talking to them to ensure that they do not take laws into their hands,” he said.
The new police boss also cautioned Nigerians against spreading unverified information capable of causing panic or undermining public safety, particularly on social media.
He emphasised that misinformation could create unnecessary fear and complicate the work of security agencies, urging citizens to verify information before sharing it and to rely on official channels for accurate updates.
The IGP called on the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible intelligence to the police and other security agencies.
On his approach, he said, “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.”
He further reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening intelligence gathering, community engagement and strategic partnerships to sustain peace and stability nationwide.
On police reforms, Disu expressed support for the ongoing national conversation on the creation of state police, noting that the initiative could help strengthen grassroots security architecture if properly structured.
Fielding questions on a committee he set up Wednesday morning to review state police from the Nigeria Police perspective, Disu explained, “We don’t want it to seem as if others are taking decisions, and we, the most important people concerned, did not do anything. We want to ensure that the best thing is done.
“State police has come to stay, and the police should be able to do their own part in making it succeed. The police are not afraid. Our jobs are not being taken. It’s just an issue of partnership.”
He also assured that the welfare of officers and men would remain a top priority of his leadership, stressing that improved working conditions, motivation and professionalism were essential to enhancing the effectiveness of the force.
Dish said, “It is somebody that is well motivated that will put in their best. Our jobs are very difficult. Some few years ago, when I was Commissioner of Police FCT, I was bold enough to announce that we lost 140 policemen just in a year.
“So the jobs are difficult. Men sleep out. A lot of people don’t have time to go back to their families. So the welfare is very, very vital, and I’m lucky to be working with a president who has made up his mind to give us whatever we want.”
The IGP reaffirmed that the police leadership would remain focused on accountability, professionalism and improved service delivery as part of efforts to deepen public trust in law enforcement.
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