Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, on courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, enjoined the IGP to ensure strict compliance with the Nigeria Police Act 2020.

Femi Falana SAN, leading the CSOs on the visit, commended the IGP's vision of policing as a mission rooted in the protection of human rights.

Falana urged strict compliance with the Nigeria Police Act 2020, particularly, provisions on family notification upon arrest, suspects’ rights to legal representation, and the prohibition of arrests for civil wrongs.

Falana further called for stronger accountability measures to ensure officers respect constitutional guarantees and are held liable in cases of misconduct.

The CSOs called for a policy that will compel any police officer found guilty of rights violations to personally bear the cost of damages awarded by courts against the Nigeria Police Force.

The CSOs argued that the current practice where the force pays compensation for the misconduct of individual officers places an unfair financial burden on the government.

The Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, in a statement indicated that IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu expressed deep appreciation for the engagement of civil society and reaffirmed his commitment to people-centered policing.

The IGP emphasized that effective policing must address both major crimes and the everyday concerns of citizens.

IGP Disu assured the delegation of ongoing reforms, including updated training manuals, improved officer welfare, and strict directives against interference in civil matters. The IGP pledged transparency and accountability and committed to improving the Complaint Response Unit and Monitoring Unit.

The Inspector-General expressed confidence that effective policing is attainable and reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in prioritizing accountability, transparency, and the protection of human rights across all its operations.

The delegation comprised prominent actors from the legal, human rights, governance, and security reform sectors. Notable members included Femi Falana, SAN; Mr. Adesina Oke, Esq. of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, NADL; Barr. Okeke Chinwike of the African Law Foundation, AFRILAW; Barbara S. Magaji of Amnesty International; Anietie Ewang of Human Rights Watch, HRW; Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa; Bathsheba Taglia of CISLAC/Transparency International Nigeria; Mrs. Kemi Okenyodo, Executive Director of Partners West Africa-Nigeria, PWAN; and Dr. Itia Otabor of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, Centre LSD.