The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) has commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for what it described as a proactive and community-centred approach to policing during his first six months in office.
Disu assumed office in February 2026 as the 23rd indigenous Inspector-General of Police, with his appointment subsequently ratified by the Nigeria Police Council.
In a statement, CAIDOV said the IGP’s first 180 days had been marked by intelligence-led operations, efforts to improve officers’ welfare, increased community engagement and greater use of technology in policing.
The organisation said the emerging approach represented a shift from predominantly reactive policing towards crime prevention, intelligence gathering and faster operational response.
According to CAIDOV, the deployment of drones, surveillance technology and improved intelligence sharing with other security agencies had strengthened efforts to identify and disrupt criminal networks.
The group also commended Disu’s emphasis on inter-agency and inter-state coordination.
In June, the Nigeria Police Force announced the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to the six geopolitical zones and directed the commencement of inter-state patrols to improve security coordination and operational effectiveness.
CAIDOV Executive Director, Gbenga Soloki, said the organisation’s assessment of Disu’s first six months showed a leadership approach focused on equipment, personnel and community relations.
“IGP Disu’s blueprint is simple: equip the troops, engage the people, and enforce accountability,” Soloki said.
He added that “the early results show a Police Force that is listening more, responding faster, and policing with the people.”
CAIDOV also identified personnel welfare as an area that had received attention under Disu’s leadership.
The organisation cited improvements in operational support, including patrol vehicles and communication equipment, as well as attention to officers’ career progression and welfare.
In May, the Nigeria Police Force announced that Disu had approved the promotion of 17,952 junior police officers nationwide, describing the exercise as part of efforts to improve morale, recognise diligence and strengthen institutional capacity.
At a subsequent decoration ceremony in July, Disu told newly promoted senior officers that their elevation came with greater responsibility and urged them to maintain professionalism, discipline and commitment to service.
CAIDOV said regular engagement with officers in frontline formations could further improve morale and operational effectiveness.
The organisation also commended the emphasis on what it described as “Citizen First” policing, stressing that public confidence remained essential to effective law enforcement.
According to the group, efforts to strengthen complaint-response mechanisms, address inappropriate checkpoints and engage communities through town hall meetings could help rebuild trust between police officers and citizens.
It said policing should not be measured solely by arrests or security operations, but also by how safely and respectfully citizens interact with law enforcement agencies.
CAIDOV noted that Disu’s commitment to protecting lives and property had been central to his maiden address after assuming office.
In his February speech, Disu pledged to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens and residents across the country.
President Bola Tinubu, while decorating Disu as Acting IGP in February, also charged him to restore peace and strengthen security nationwide, expressing confidence in his record and experience.
Beyond conventional policing, Disu’s administration has also engaged with broader issues surrounding Nigeria’s security architecture.
In March, the IGP inaugurated a committee on state policing, describing the assignment as “significant and timely” and calling for innovative approaches to addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
The Police Force also held a strategic leadership retreat for senior officers in March as part of its reform efforts, with discussions focusing on institutional transformation, accountability and responsive policing.
CAIDOV said such initiatives should be sustained, particularly as Nigeria continues to grapple with kidnapping, cult-related violence, banditry and other security challenges.
Soloki said the organisation was encouraged by the direction of the Police Force but urged the leadership to maintain the momentum.
“Equip the troops, engage the people, and enforce accountability,” he reiterated, stressing that effective policing required both operational capacity and public cooperation.
He added that the reforms should be accompanied by continuous training, stronger community partnerships and transparent accountability mechanisms.
CAIDOV therefore called on the IGP to consolidate the gains of his first six months and ensure that reforms introduced at the leadership level translated into improved policing at the command and divisional levels.
The organisation also urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing useful information while demanding professionalism and respect for their rights.
“As policing evolves, the people must remain at the centre,” CAIDOV said, stressing that sustained community partnership would be critical to building a more responsive and trusted police institution.
The assessment comes six months into Disu’s tenure, during which the Police Force has pursued greater operational coordination, personnel development, technology-driven policing and discussions around state policing.
While CAIDOV acknowledged that six months remained an early period for judging the long-term impact of the reforms, it said the direction of Disu’s leadership offered grounds for continued engagement and scrutiny.
The organisation said the next phase should focus on sustaining the momentum, measuring results and ensuring that the promise of proactive, accountable and citizen-focused policing was reflected in the everyday experiences of Nigerians.
