Nigeria's Acting Police Chief Faces Reform Mandate Amid Combat Training Rollout
Acting Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu confronts calls for institutional accountability and public trust restoration as state commands intensify operational readiness programs through combat training initiatives.
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Nigeria's newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, faces mounting pressure to implement comprehensive reforms and rebuild public confidence in the force, even as state commands across the country intensify combat training programs aimed at enhancing operational capacity against security threats.
The Alaafin of Oyo, a prominent traditional ruler in southwestern Nigeria, has called on Disu to prioritise citizen protection and institutional accountability. According to Vanguard News, the monarch urged the new police chief "to prioritise the protection of innocent citizens, uphold the rule of law and implement reforms that would foster a more professional, accountable and community-oriented police force." The intervention reflects broader public expectations that Disu's tenure will mark a departure from past practices that eroded community trust in law enforcement.
Operational Capacity Building Continues
While reform demands intensify at the national level, state police commands are moving forward with tactical enhancement programs. In Anambra State, Police Commissioner Ikioye Orutugu has overseen the deployment of newly trained personnel equipped with advanced combat skills. The Peoples Gazette reported that Orutugu emphasized how "combat and armed drills among newly trained personnel will ensure decisive, lawful responses to emerging threats in Anambra."
The timing of these parallel developments highlights the dual challenge facing Nigeria's police leadership: maintaining operational effectiveness against insecurity while simultaneously addressing systemic issues that have damaged the institution's reputation. Anambra State, located in Nigeria's southeast, has experienced significant security challenges in recent years, including attacks on police facilities and kidnapping incidents that have tested law enforcement capacity.
Political Connections and Leadership Transition
Disu's appointment comes with established political connections to President Bola Tinubu, dating back to Tinubu's tenure as Lagos State governor. Former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, whom Disu succeeded, publicly acknowledged this shared mentorship. "I learned many things from him, from Mr President, but there is something I remember he said when he was governor in Lagos," Egbetokun stated, according to the Peoples Gazette, referencing lessons both he and Disu absorbed during their formative years in Lagos State policing.
This political lineage presents both opportunities and challenges for the acting IGP. While close ties to the presidency may facilitate resource allocation and policy support for reform initiatives, they also raise questions about operational independence and the force's ability to act without political interference—a persistent concern among civil society organizations monitoring police conduct.
Reform Imperatives and Public Expectations
The calls for reform come against the backdrop of longstanding complaints about police conduct in Nigeria, including allegations of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, and corruption. The 2020 #EndSARS protests, which drew international attention to police brutality, particularly by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, underscored the depth of public dissatisfaction with law enforcement practices.
Traditional rulers like the Alaafin wield significant moral authority in Nigeria's complex governance structure, making their interventions on police matters politically significant. The monarch's emphasis on creating a "community-oriented police force" aligns with international best practices in policing that prioritize community engagement over purely enforcement-focused approaches.
The challenge for Disu will be balancing the immediate security imperatives that justify enhanced combat training with the longer-term institutional reforms needed to restore public trust. Combat readiness addresses tactical capacity, but sustainable security requires community cooperation—something that remains elusive when citizens view police with suspicion rather than confidence.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with banditry in the northwest, separatist agitation in the southeast, and Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, the effectiveness of police reform will be measured not only by operational successes but by the force's ability to protect citizens while respecting their rights. Whether Disu's leadership can deliver on both fronts will determine his legacy and the trajectory of Nigerian policing in the years ahead.