The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has warned officers of the Nigeria Police Force against misconduct, abuse of power and any form of unprofessional behaviour, declaring that the “era of impunity is over.”
Disu gave the warning on Friday during an official visit to the Edo State Police Command in Benin, where he addressed officers on discipline, accountability and professionalism in policing across the country.
He said the police leadership was determined to rebuild public trust and reposition the force through strict enforcement of ethical standards and improved service delivery.
The IGP referenced recent incidents of alleged misconduct, including the killing of a suspect in Delta State and extortion allegations involving officers in Port Harcourt.
He condemned the alleged shooting of a suspect after being apprehended by civilians and handed over to the police, questioning the conduct of the officers involved.
“Is that what we are taught in the academy? Is that what they taught us in college?” he asked.
“How did you feel after that policeman disgraced all of us?
“You felt bad about it. You felt it was difficult for you to put on your uniform after that,” he added.
Disu said officers implicated in the Delta incident had been recommended for dismissal, while the Police Service Commission had already approved the recommendation.
According to him, the case file had also been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for further legal action and prosecution.
He further disclosed that officers arrested in Port Harcourt over alleged extortion of residents had also been recommended for dismissal from the force.
“They started moving around town, arresting everybody arbitrarily and finally collecting their money from ATMs.
“They have all been recommended for dismissal,” the police chief said.
Disu stressed that the Nigeria Police Force was committed to building a professional institution anchored on discipline, integrity and public confidence.
“I know I cannot do it alone. That is why I’ve come to talk to you so that all of us will be on the same page,” he said.
He maintained that Nigerian police officers had the capacity to rank among the best in the world if they embraced accountability and professionalism.
“Are you happy the way the Nigerian Police have been rated?
“I know you and I can do better. I know the stuff with which all of you are made.
“I know we qualify to be the best police in Africa. We are qualified to be the best in the world if we want to do it,” he added.
Despite the warnings, the IGP commended officers for their sacrifices in maintaining peace and national security across the country.
“It is not all bad. Officers, you have been wonderful. You have been the ones who have kept the country together as it is today,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, said the command had intensified intelligence-led policing and operations against criminal groups.
He noted that the command had recorded successes in tackling kidnapping, armed robbery and cult-related crimes through specialised operational units.
Agbonika appealed for increased logistics support, including arms, ammunition, armoured personnel carriers and additional manpower to strengthen security operations in the state.
