JUST IN: ‘State police has come to stay,’ Disu assures Nigerians
The newly sworn-in Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday declared that state policing “has come to stay,” assuring that the Nigeria Police Force would play an active role in ensuring its success.
Disu made the remarks shortly after taking the oath of office at 2:53 p.m. at the State House, Abuja, where he was sworn in as substantive IGP by President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing concerns over the proposed state police structure, Disu said the Force would not resist the initiative but would instead contribute meaningfully to its implementation.
“State police has come to stay. From the angle of the Nigerian police, 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. The police should be able to contribute and 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 said.
On the longstanding welfare concerns within the Force, the IGP acknowledged the challenges faced by officers, stressing that improved motivation would be a priority under his leadership.
“It is somebody that is well motivated that will put in their best. Our jobs are very difficult. Some years ago, when I was Commissioner of Police in the FCT, I was bold enough to announce that we lost 140 policemen in just one year. The job is difficult. Many officers sleep out and hardly have time with their families. Welfare is very vital,” Disu stated.
He also emphasized the importance of intelligence-led policing in tackling security threats, noting that the Force remains alert to developments within and outside the country.
“Our ears are to the ground. We are aware of different groups operating in Nigeria. We know that if anything happens in other parts of the world, there could be repercussions here. We are putting all necessary actions in place,” he added.
