Pledge by the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Olatunji Disu, to overhaul the working mechanism of the Police should be taken as his agenda for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Given that most of his predecessors in that office started with similar promises to be different but ended up not being so, Disu has an onerous task to dismiss the scepticism of Nigerians about his expressed intentions.

Disu pledged to strengthen the investigative capacity of the force, modernise its operations and deploy innovation to boost the capability of the personnel to effectively combat modern crime across the country. The plan covers major areas that require urgent overhaul in policing. If the challenges in Disu’s initial focus on the pitiable state of the police can be addressed even in part,  the police narrative can begin to change from that of endemic corruption, gross inefficiency, unpardonable betrayal of trust and failure in constitutional responsibility.

The Nigeria Police, as presently constituted, is in a lamentable state. The weakness and corruption are palpable all over the country, just as the consequences are tormenting Nigerians everywhere. And Nigerians are disappointed that the crucial security agency saddled with the constitutional responsibility of ensuring internal security, in most cases, is nowhere to be found when enemies strike, making them vulnerable. It is Disu’s duty to save the police from its negative image in the nation’s security architecture, and most importantly, reform it to effectively protect the people.

On April 17, 2026, when the 2nd National Police Day was celebrated at the Eagles Square in Abuja, the IGP openly pledged to modernise the operations of the police, tackle indiscipline in the force, enhance the welfare of the personnel, and honour the fallen heroes. Specifically, Disu said he would transform operations and boost investigative capacities for more effective policing by deploying technology, particularly digital infrastructure, and intelligence-led strategies. To start with, the IGP directed the deployment of the intelligence-based assets of the force and elevated the Force Intelligence Bureau to a full-fledged department with a mandate to handle evolving crime threats. Part of his agenda is to strengthen the partnership between the police and the citizens to foster trust and improve security outcomes.

A troubling fact is that some police personnel, by their criminal activities, constitute threats to the security of life and property, which they have the mandate to protect. It is disappointing. The journey of transforming the police and restoring the relevance should start by making the force strong to be able to play an appreciable role in tackling the seemingly intractable and escalating security challenges threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria. The ineffectiveness of the police over the decades led to the current deployment of soldiers to fight terrorism and other criminal activities in the country.

Besides, Nigeria needs a police system that can detect crime before it is perpetrated, as is the case in advanced countries. The personnel need more and better training that can make them very proactive in the discharge of their duties. The ineffectiveness of the force is palpable all over the country, and it is part of the reason millions of Nigerians are in internally displaced persons’ camps across the nation. Nigerians want to see the police coming out with innovative and effective strategies to combat crime and make the country safe.

Disu should tackle the vice of extortion that has become endemic in the police and deprived the force of public respect. Policemen openly extort motorists at checkpoints, and from complainants in their stations, and also from other innocent citizens they arrest during special operations, especially stop-and-search. There have been media reports of police personnel forcing people to part with their belongings, including phones, laptops, computers, wristwatches and expensive necklaces during such operations. There have been allegations of police personnel or men in police uniforms carrying Point-of-Sale (PoS) machines with them during operations to force people to transfer money to the security operatives. If true, this is akin to official armed robbery.

For Disu’s agenda to work, the federal government should provide adequate funding for the force. In many police stations today, complainants are forced to fund the investigation by providing money to buy files, a biro to write complaints, and fuel to power police vehicles to scenes of incidents, among others. It should not be the case. A situation where police personnel buy and sew their uniform by themselves and spend their personal money to take care of some expenses that should be borne by the government does not portray a responsible force. It could tempt them to indulge in unethical conduct that will erode respect for the law enforcers among members of the public. Their welfare should be given priority and they should not suffer to get their entitlements.

Disu should be encouraged to deliver on his promises. The current public perception of the Nigerian police is that of a defeated force, with the personnel now serving as security aides to only wealthy Nigerians. The force was established to protect all Nigerians, and that is what it should do effectively.

Inspector General Disu must fight the habit of some police officers revealing the identity of informants to suspects after collecting bribes from them. Such unwholesome practices endanger the informants’ lives and constitute a stumbling block to building the kind of police-community relationship that will lead to better policing of the country. It is an unpardonable betrayal of trust and a sabotage of intelligence gathering. Indiscipline in the police needs to be stamped out. News media have reported cases of allegedly drunken police personnel fighting among themselves over the sharing of money obtained through extortion on the streets. Some dress shabbily and look unkempt. There is a need for a proper background check before people are recruited into the force. Some police officers have been alleged to be cult members. The rickety look of most police patrol vans indicates a force that is too weak to combat crimes. The operational vehicles of officers who demand a roadworthiness certificate from motorists are themselves visibly not roadworthy.

The story should change: The new IGP should walk the talk.