The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has charged newly promoted Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability.
Disu gave the charge during the decoration ceremony for the newly promoted senior officers at the Force Headquarters on Tuesday.
Congratulating the officers on their elevation, the IGP described the promotions as a recognition of their dedication, resilience and years of meritorious service to the Nigeria Police Force.
Disu stressed that their new ranks come with greater responsibilities, adding that they had earned the trust of the Force through their professionalism and commitment to duty.
The police chief acknowledged the sacrifices made by officers in the course of their careers, including prolonged separation from their families, difficult working conditions and the demands of policing.
“I understand the toll of serving under such circumstances because many of you have personally borne those burdens. Missed birthdays, months spent away from home, nights in the field while your families yearned for your presence. Those sacrifices have not gone unnoticed,” he said.
Disu reminded the newly promoted officers that they were now role models whose conduct would shape the next generation of police personnel.
“This rank is not merely a reward for past achievements. It represents the Force’s confidence in your future contributions. Your character will serve as the example, and your discipline will set the standard,” he said.
He urged them to discharge their responsibilities with integrity and compassion while rejecting corruption and abuse of office.
“I expect you to lead with unwavering integrity, exhibiting zero tolerance for any form of misconduct, abuse of power, or corruption. Additionally, I expect you to lead with compassion. The officers under your command are observing to determine if you genuinely care for them as individuals, rather than merely as personnel,” he added.
The IGP also reiterated the Force’s commitment to building a modern, intelligence-driven and technology-oriented police service while strengthening public confidence.
“We must persist in our efforts to create a modern, intelligent, and technology-oriented police force, but we must never forget the underlying purpose—safer streets, safeguarded families, and communities that have faith in us,” he said.
According to him, public trust remains critical to effective policing.
“Public trust is not merely a public relations initiative. It represents the distinction between obtaining information that can save lives and the silence that ensues when trust is eroded,” he said.
Disu assured officers of the police leadership’s continued commitment to their welfare, training and career development, while encouraging the newly promoted officers to mentor junior colleagues and uphold the Force’s core values.
He also commended the families of the officers for their support and sacrifices.
“To the families present here today, this rank is as much yours as it is the officers’. Every assignment you faced alone, every concern you bore in silence, and every sacrifice you made without acknowledgement contributed to this accomplishment,” he said.
The IGP further thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support for the Nigeria Police Force and praised the Police Service Commission for conducting what he described as a transparent, fair and credible promotion exercise.
He urged the newly decorated officers to wear their new ranks with humility and continue to inspire confidence through exemplary leadership.
“Lead in a way that inspires hope. Together, we will continue to build a Nigeria Police Force that is professional, disciplined, accountable and unwavering in its service to the people of Nigeria,” he said.