The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s firm stance against extortion, corruption, and impunity within its ranks. He made this clear during the inauguration of the Rivers State Police Command’s Complaint Response Unit (CRU) on Wednesday, held at the command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. The IGP’s address emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
IGP Egbetokun, who was represented by Adebola Hamzat, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16 Command, stated that the force is working relentlessly to earn public trust and ensure that misconduct among officers is addressed decisively.
“We are reaffirming our commitment to zero tolerance for extortion and corruption. No police officer should subject the public to unnecessary tension or impunity. We have implemented several training programs to reorient our officers, and we’ll keep improving,” he stated. The IGP acknowledged gaps in public feedback and vowed that new measures will ensure citizens know the outcomes of their complaints.
The newly launched CRU is part of efforts to close this gap, providing a confidential platform for the public to report police misconduct. It was noted that the CRU will leverage technology to enhance its operations, ensuring that those who report misconduct are protected from potential retaliation.
Egbetokun also defended the Nigeria Police Force’s internal processes for handling misconduct, dismissing the notion that the force does not take action on reported abuses. “No case of misconduct brought to our attention goes unaddressed, but we acknowledge that a better feedback system is needed,” he said. He explained that the CRU, established in 2015, has been instrumental in tackling misconduct and restoring public trust.
The IGP thanked various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and student unions, for their support. He stressed that effective policing requires the collaboration of all segments of society, calling it a critical element of the force’s community policing strategy.
In his remarks, Cheikh Toure, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) country representative for Nigeria, lauded the initiative, stating it aligns with the UNODC’s vision for strengthening the country’s criminal justice system. Toure noted that the establishment of CRU offices across Nigeria would strengthen the bond between the police and the communities they serve.
“The directive from the IGP to establish complaint response units in all 36 states is crucial to building trust between the police and the public,” said Toure, who was represented by Muchaneta Mundas.
