The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday hosted a delegation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, with the group led by prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the delegation included key stakeholders from the legal, human rights, governance, and security reform sectors. Among them were representatives such as Adesina Oke of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, Okeke Chinwike of the African Law Foundation, Barbara Magaji of Amnesty International, Anietie Ewang of Human Rights Watch, and Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa. Others present included officials from CISLAC/Transparency International Nigeria, Partners West Africa-Nigeria, and the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development.

In his remarks, Falana congratulated the IGP on his appointment and praised his approach to policing, which he described as being grounded in the protection of human rights. He, however, called for strict adherence to the provisions of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, particularly those relating to notifying families after arrests, ensuring suspects have access to legal representation, and avoiding arrests for civil matters.

He also stressed the need for stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure that officers uphold constitutional rights and face consequences in cases of misconduct.

In response, Disu expressed appreciation for the engagement with civil society groups and reiterated his commitment to a policing system that prioritises the needs of the people. He noted that effective law enforcement must not only address serious crimes but also respond to the everyday concerns of citizens.

The police chief assured the delegation that reforms are already underway, including the review of training materials, improvements in officers’ welfare, and clear directives preventing police involvement in civil disputes. He also pledged greater transparency and accountability, alongside efforts to strengthen the Complaint Response Unit and Monitoring Unit.

Disu reaffirmed his confidence in achieving a more effective policing system, emphasising that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding human rights, transparency, and accountability in all its operations.