We congratulate the new Acting Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on your appointment as Inspector General of Police, subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
The intrigues are over. It is time to get to work. Sir, you must hit the ground running.
It is important that you quickly develop a strategy to tackle Nigeria’s internal security challenges. A team reminiscent of the Intelligence Response Team, a strengthened Technical Intelligence Unit, and a Counter-Terrorism Squad should form a formidable task force to rid this country of the marauding elements that have held it hostage.
Command structures should be strengthened to ensure state-by-state policing synergy. There must be symmetry in police operations so that kidnappers and terrorists smoked out of one state are intercepted before entering another.
Nigeria’s forests are interconnected. Kidnappers and terrorists reportedly use pipelines laid across forests as landmarks for navigation. It is imperative that we develop a comprehensive strategy to rid our forests of criminal elements. The Nigeria Police Force must train selected officers and men in forest combat operations, which require specialised knowledge. Forest warfare is unique and demands particular expertise.
The Police should develop a structured reward system for officers who consistently put their lives on the line. If doctors working in air-conditioned environments receive hazard allowances, then tactical police officers who face bullets daily certainly deserve adequate hazard allowances.
The sorry state of many police barracks leaves much to be desired. Barracks must be made habitable, and a strong maintenance culture must be established. A police officer who is comfortable at home will perform better at work.
Funding of Divisions and Divisional Officers (DOs) must be urgently reviewed. Many Divisions operate on unofficial funding sources, which creates room for abuse and injustice. If we truly want this country to be safe, we must properly fund Divisional Police Headquarters.
Intelligence gathering must also be strengthened. The best way to achieve this is through strategic collaboration with stakeholders to ensure a seamless flow of information. Policing is everyone’s business. The Police must engage citizens through structured community safety partnerships — what CP Monday Agbonika of Edo State refers to as “Community Safety Partnerships.” These partnerships should cover both visible and covert mechanisms.
The Police must improve their air capabilities. The New York Police Department reportedly operates about 100 helicopters. How many commands in Nigeria can boast of even five drones? How effectively are we deploying GPS technology to track crime?
The Inspector General should ensure that business owners across Nigeria install functional Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems. This would significantly expand surveillance coverage nationwide. The deployment of technology in crime fighting is no longer optional. We must also develop a national database and synchronise data from NIN, INEC, banks, NCC, and licensing authorities.
Border control must be strengthened. Criminal elements should not be allowed to infiltrate the country unchecked. A specialised unit should track foreign nationals involved in criminal activities. To fight crime effectively, we must disrupt supply chains and aggressively trace terror financing.
It is also important to reintegrate police athletes into Nigeria’s elite sports system. This will expand opportunities for officers and enhance the positive image of the Force. The first Nigerian to win Olympic gold, Chioma Ajunwa, achieved this feat at the 1996 Summer Olympics while serving as a police officer. Sunday Bada was also an Olympic medalist, and Julius Aghahowa once had ties with the Police. Let us reignite the glory days of Nigerian sports, to which the Nigeria Police Force significantly contributed.
Police lawyers are doing commendable work defending the Force. Those still in the rank and file should be converted to the Officer Cadre. They are university graduates and alumni of the Nigerian Law School, making them valuable assets. Although often underappreciated, they save the Police billions of naira annually through effective legal defence. Their Bar Practising Fees should be paid by the Force, and they should be sponsored on a rotational basis to attend the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Conference.
The X-Squad units should operate independently within each state in a unified facility. Their Assistant Commissioners (ACs) should report directly to the AIG, X-Squad, in Abuja. As the “police of the police,” the X-Squad must be strengthened and insulated from undue interference. If necessary, multilateral agencies could support their funding.
The Police Complaint Response Unit (PCRU) should be independent of the Office of the Force Public Relations Officer (Force PRO). The Force PRO already supervises the Police Complaint Bureau (PCB) and is significantly burdened. The PCRU could instead report to the Principal Staff Officer (IGP-SEC), who oversees the IGP Secretariat. The PCRU, created under former IGP Solomon Arase, was once highly effective but has since weakened. Strengthening it would reinforce discipline and accountability within the Force.
Police Control Rooms must also be upgraded. Every Command Control Room should have at least one functional Android phone. It is unacceptable that some commands lack such basic technology in the 21st century. The new IGP should conduct an audit of all 37 Command Control Rooms to determine their technological needs and address deficiencies accordingly.
We wish the new IGP success and pray for wisdom and courage in this demanding role. We call on all Nigerians to support him. It is an extremely challenging office. Let us give him every reason to succeed.
Congratulations, Sir.
About the Author
Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq.
Convener, Security Situation Room
Email: douglasogbankwa@gmail.com
