The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has charged officers of the Nigeria Police Force to treat members of the public with civility and professionalism, stressing that citizens remain the “bosses” of the police.
Disu gave the directive during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondents (LAGOCO) at Alausa, Ikeja.
The IGP, who had earlier addressed officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at their base, reiterated that effective policing depends on public trust and cooperation.
I have told the officers not to bring the name of the Rapid Response Squad down. They must treat members of the public as their bosses because they are paid from taxpayers’ money. They should also see the people as partners, because without the community, policing cannot succeed,” he said.
The Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, which houses the journalists, shares a boundary with the RRS police station.
Disu, a former RRS commander in Lagos, recalled his working relationship with journalists covering the state, noting that both parties operated within the same environment during his tenure.
I am happy to be here again and to see familiar faces. We worked together as one when I served here. Your support and cooperation back then meant a lot to us,” he said.
He explained that his visit to Lagos was part of engagements with key stakeholders, including the Commissioner of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and officers of the RRS.
According to him, the engagements aim to strengthen discipline, professionalism, and respect for human rights within the Force.
Responding, Chairman of LAGOCO, George Okojie, commended the IGP for his longstanding relationship with journalists and his people-oriented leadership style.
Okojie described Disu as accessible and humble, recalling his time as RRS commander when he maintained close ties with the media and supported journalists.
“We are confident that the Nigerian Police is in capable hands. His leadership style gives hope that policing in Nigeria will continue to improve,” he said.
