Adeyanju Tasks New Acting IGP Disu on Human Rights, Professional Reform

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to prioritize human rights compliance and implement key reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Adeyanju congratulated Disu on his new role, describing the appointment as a critical opportunity to restore professionalism and discipline to the police force.

He urged the new police chief to establish respect for fundamental rights as the central pillar of his leadership. According to the activist, this requires a comprehensive overhaul of internal practices within the police.

Adeyanju specifically called for an end to extortion and unlawful arrests by police officers. He also demanded a halt to what he described as the misuse of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, alleging it is often employed to target and silence dissenting voices.

Furthermore, Adeyanju emphasized the need for strict adherence to the President’s directive regarding the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP escort and guard duties. He argued that the current practice of deploying officers to private individuals and politically exposed persons undermines the constitutional mandate of the Force.

“The era of deploying police officers to VIPs, together with any unofficial financial arrangements associated with such deployments across commands, must be decisively brought to an end,” Adeyanju stated.

He maintained that police officers should refocus on their core mandate of securing lives and property rather than functioning as private security guards.

The activist also called on the police to withdraw from involvement in civil matters, including land disputes, tenancy disagreements, and domestic conflicts. He urged the Force to concentrate its resources and efforts on tackling violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism.

Adeyanju concluded that the Nigeria Police Force can only rebuild public trust by fully reclaiming its primary responsibility of ensuring internal security.