Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s firm stance against extortion, impunity, and corruption within its ranks.
The PUNCH reported that Egbetokun emphasized the Force’s commitment to public trust during the commissioning and presentation of the Rivers State Police Command’s Complaint Response Unit office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General, Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 16, Adebola Hamzat, stressed that the police must live up to public expectations by ensuring transparency and accountability.
He reiterated the Force’s zero tolerance for corrupt practices and the importance of respecting citizens who fund the police through taxes.
Egbetokun’s message was clear, “The IG has said it, and we are echoing it that there is zero tolerance for extortion, zero tolerance for corruption. We do not accept a situation where those whose money pays your salary are the ones who have to suffer unnecessary tension or impunity from police officers.”
He explained that police officers had undergone continuous training and that the Force was committed to improving the systems in place to meet public expectations.
He added, “We’ve gone round to give them training. And we’ll continue to improve on what we have on the ground.”
Acknowledging challenges within the Force, Egbetokun addressed public concerns about misconduct, asserting that every complaint received by the police is taken seriously.
He highlighted that while public perception often focuses on impunity and corruption, the Force takes swift action on reported cases, even if feedback mechanisms are lacking.
“The Nigeria Police Force is the principal law enforcement agency in the country,” he stated. “However, actual and perceived impunity, corruption, extortion, and other human rights abuses are what people see we commit. No organization or institution addresses internal misconduct like the police.”
To tackle this, he pointed to the importance of the CRU in closing gaps in accountability. He emphasized that complaints are acted upon, even if the public may not always be aware of the outcomes, “If people report, they don’t always know that actions are taken because there’s no feedback system. But there’s no misconduct reported to the police authority that actions are not taken.”
The CRU, created in 2015, has been pivotal in promoting accountability within the Force.
Egbetokun underlined that the CRU’s online reporting system offers protection to whistleblowers, assuring anonymity to those who fear retaliation. “At the initial time of reporting, nobody knows your identity… we can always give feedback and ensure you are well-served.”
Furthermore, the IGP emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force has been improving, with recent efforts reflecting positive changes, noting, “Recent happenings show that police are changing, and we will continue to change.”
Egbetokun expressed gratitude to stakeholders and sister agencies for their collaboration, pledging that the Force remains dedicated to promoting effective and community-focused policing.
He underscored the need for cooperation with local communities, traditional leaders, and civil society groups: “Policing is not just a government affair… We collaborate with traditional rulers, student unions, CSOs, and others to ensure we meet your policing needs.”
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes representative in Nigeria, praised the IGP’s initiative, Cheikh Toure, emphasizing its alignment with the UNODC’s strategic goals for Nigeria. Represented by Muchaneta Mundas, Toure noted that the CRU supports efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s criminal justice system and enhance access to justice.
He remarked, “Effective policing is rooted in integrity and the steadfast commitment to upholding human rights… The establishment of the complaints response unit meets this essential criterion and remains crucial to building partnerships between the police and the public.”
Toure commended the move to establish CRUs in all 36 states of Nigeria, acknowledging the initiative’s importance in fostering trust between the police and the communities they serve.
