SOJWORLDNEWS | POLICE AND SECURITY
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Ridwan Disu, has urged Commissioners of Police across Nigeria to build stronger relationships with the communities they serve, saying effective policing depends on communication, public trust and cooperation.
In remarks directed at police commissioners, Disu challenged senior officers to examine how well they relate to residents in their areas of jurisdiction. He said officers must get closer to the people, listen to their concerns and develop relationships that encourage cooperation with law enforcement. Rather than relying on authority alone, he stressed the importance of engaging citizens directly.
To explain his position, the IGP referred to the 2020 #EndSARS protests, when demonstrators marched to police stations in several parts of the country. He recalled instances in which divisional police officers came outside, addressed protesters and persuaded them to leave. According to the transcript, the protesters listened to those officers.
“Those are the officers who have been on ground,” Disu said, pointing to the importance of officers who understand the communities they police and can communicate with people during tense situations.
He then challenged commissioners to consider whether they could speak directly to the people under their jurisdiction and receive a constructive response. He also asked whether they had earned the goodwill of the communities they were appointed to protect.
“Can you stay in front of the people you police and talk to them and get the right response?” he asked. “Have you endeared yourself to the people?”
Those questions placed community relationships at the centre of his message. In effect, Disu urged police leaders to assess not only their operational performance but also the quality of their contact with residents. When officers listen, communicate clearly and treat people respectfully, they can create more opportunities to resolve disputes before tensions escalate.
Moreover, regular engagement can help police understand local concerns and build channels through which residents can report crime or share information. People may be more willing to cooperate when they believe officers will hear their complaints and respond fairly. However, trust does not develop through statements alone; officers must demonstrate professionalism in their everyday dealings with the public.
Disu made his position clear when he described the approach he wants policing to adopt. “Policing must change. Policing is not ground grab. Policing is public relations. Policing is contact with the people you are policing. Policing is agreement between you and the people you are policing,” he said in the supplied transcript.
The remarks emphasise that law enforcement involves more than responding to crime or maintaining order. Although police officers have legal powers and responsibilities, their work also depends on public cooperation, credible communication and confidence in their conduct. Therefore, force cannot replace dialogue, and authority alone cannot guarantee that residents will support police efforts.
For Commissioners of Police, the challenge is to turn this message into routine practice across their commands. They can encourage divisional officers to engage community leaders, listen to residents and explain police actions clearly. They can also review complaints, identify recurring problems and ensure officers handle members of the public professionally.
At the same time, communities also need accessible ways to raise concerns and communicate with local police units. Consistent contact can help both sides understand their responsibilities and address misunderstandings. Where disagreements arise, respectful conversation may create room for solutions before a situation becomes more difficult to manage.
Disu’s reference to the #EndSARS protests is significant because the demonstrations brought national attention to public complaints about police conduct and accountability. His example focuses on moments when communication between officers and protesters reportedly helped prevent further confrontation. The transcript, however, does not identify the specific stations or officers involved.
Ultimately, the IGP’s message asks police leaders to measure their relationship with the public by the trust and cooperation they build. For policing to work effectively, officers must remain in contact with the people they serve, listen to their concerns and act with professionalism. Disu’s central point is that community engagement should not be an occasional public-relations exercise; it should form part of everyday policing.
Editorial note: This report is based on the transcript supplied to Sojworldnews. The date and venue of the remarks have not been independently established.
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