*Commences retreat of AIG’s Tuesday

*Fixes April 7 for 2nd edition of Police Day celebration

THE Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has directed that  officers of the force  must be visible, approachable, and accountable at all times .

The IGP who gave th directive during the decoration of newly promoted officers in Abuja on Monday, stressed that  the era of policing that alienates the people was  over and called on officers to  drive the  reforms within areas of responsibility.

The IGP announced that a retreat to bring newly promoted  Assistant Inspectors General of Police in tune with the reforms organized by the Police Force Secretariat in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) would  commence on Tuesday(tomorrow) .

He also stated that the  ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional visibility, deepen community engagement, and reinforce public trust have reached advanced stages ,therefore ,  the Nigeria Police Force will be hosting the 2nd edition of the National Police Day on 7th April, 2026.

According to the IGP :  “It is with a strong sense of duty and institutional responsibility that I welcome you all to this important occasion, the decoration ceremony of officers elevated to the ranks of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police.

Today’s ceremony is not merely symbolic. It is a formal recognition of merit, discipline, and proven capacity. It is also a strategic investment in leadership at a time when our nation demands a more effective, accountable, and responsive Police Force.”

Urging them to see their  elevation as the outcome of a dedicated service , he pointed out that, “this promotion is not a reward; it is a responsibility.

It places you under greater scrutiny and demands a higher standard of leadership, judgment, and conduct. From this moment, you are no longer just senior officers; you are strategic leaders of this institution.

You are expected to lead from the front. Your actions, decisions, and personal conduct must reflect discipline, integrity, and absolute respect for the rule of law.

There will be zero tolerance for indiscipline, abuse of office, corruption, or dereliction of duty under your command. You must take full responsibility for the conduct of your personnel.

“Supervision must be firm, consistent, and effective. You must know what is happening within your Commands at all times. Lax supervision breeds misconduct; strong leadership enforces standards.

I will hold you accountable for both operational outcomes and the behaviour of officers under your authority.

“Let me also emphasise that the Nigeria Police Force under my leadership is firmly committed to people-oriented policing. This is not optional, it is a core operational principle. You must ensure that policing in your jurisdiction is driven by professionalism, respect for human rights, and responsiveness to the public’s needs.

“Our officers must be visible, approachable, and accountable. The era of policing that alienates the people is over. We must build trust deliberately and consistently. Intelligence gathering, crime prevention, and effective law enforcement are all strengthened when the public has confidence in us.

“You are also to drive reform within your areas of responsibility. Embrace innovation, strengthen operational efficiency, and eliminate outdated practices that do not align with modern policing standards. We must evolve as a Force, operationally, technologically, and ethically.”

He continued,”In furtherance of this reform agenda, I wish to inform that all newly promoted Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police will proceed on a strategic leadership retreat commencing Tuesday, 24th March, 2026.

This retreat, being organised by the Police Reform Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is designed to deepen our ongoing reform efforts, with a strong focus on transformational leadership, professionalism, and modern policing standards. It will provide a platform for critical reflection, strategic alignment, and capacity building, to ensure that our senior leadership cadre is fully equipped to drive sustainable reforms across the Force. Participation is mandatory, and I expect full commitment from all concerned.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional visibility, deepen community engagement, and reinforce public trust, the Nigeria Police Force will be hosting the 2nd edition of the National Police Day on 7th April, 2026.

This significant national event is designed not only to celebrate the dedication and sacrifices of our officers, but also to showcase our evolving role as a people-centred and service-driven institution.

It provides a platform to further connect with the communities we serve, while reaffirming our commitment to professionalism, accountability, and excellence in service delivery.