Jane Salihu
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has charged newly promoted senior police officers to redefine leadership within the Nigeria Police Force by combining professionalism with compassion, stressing that public trust is earned through integrity and respect rather than authority.
Speaking on Tuesday at the decoration ceremony for 13 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and 17 Commissioners of Police (CPs) at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the IGP said the newly elevated officers were assuming greater responsibilities at a time of increasing security challenges and heightened public expectations.
Disu acknowledged the enormous sacrifices made by police personnel, noting that many officers have endured long periods away from their families while confronting difficult security operations across the country. He said such sacrifices had not gone unnoticed and were among the reasons the officers had earned promotion to higher command.
He described the new ranks not merely as rewards for past service but as a vote of confidence in the officers’ ability to provide exemplary leadership, urging them to set standards that junior personnel would emulate during difficult moments.
The IGP warned against misconduct, abuse of office and corruption, insisting that senior officers must uphold the highest ethical standards while also prioritising the welfare of officers under their command.
According to him, leadership should not only be measured by discipline but also by the willingness of commanders to protect, support and mentor their subordinates.
Disu further reiterated the Force’s commitment to building a modern, intelligence-led and technology-driven policing system, explaining that technological advancement must ultimately translate into safer communities and stronger public confidence in law enforcement.
He emphasised that trust between the police and the public remains critical to effective policing, noting that timely information from citizens often determines whether lives are saved or lost.
The Inspector-General also called on the newly promoted officers to invest in mentoring younger personnel, encouraging them to provide the kind of guidance they would have desired earlier in their careers.
He paid tribute to the families of police officers, recognising their sacrifices through frequent relocations, prolonged absences and the emotional burden of supporting loved ones in active service.
Disu also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for the Nigeria Police Force and commended the Police Service Commission for sustaining what he described as a transparent, fair and credible promotion process.
Addressing the promoted officers, the IGP urged them to wear their new ranks with humility and pride, reminding them that they now represent role models for younger officers aspiring to rise through the ranks.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to building a professional, disciplined and accountable institution dedicated to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.
