Respect Human Rights, End Police Excesses, Adeyanju Tells New IGP

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to prioritise respect for human rights and comprehensive internal reforms as the cornerstone of his administration.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Adeyanju congratulated the new police chief on his appointment, describing it as a crucial opportunity to restore professionalism, discipline and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, the leadership transition presents a defining moment to rebuild public trust in the Force, which he said has been undermined by persistent allegations of extortion, unlawful arrests and abuse of power.
He urged the IGP to ensure that strict compliance with human rights standards becomes the guiding principle of policing operations across the country.
“The Police must reform its internal practices, put an end to extortion and unlawful arrests, and stop the misuse of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act to harass and silence dissenting voices,” Adeyanju stated.
The activist further appealed to the new police boss to enforce the President’s directive on the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP protection duties, stressing that such deployments have distracted officers from their constitutional responsibilities.
He argued that the practice of assigning officers to VIPs, alongside alleged unofficial financial arrangements tied to such postings, should be decisively discontinued.
“Police officers must return to their core constitutional responsibility of policing and ensuring internal security,” he said.
Adeyanju also advised the Force to steer clear of purely civil disputes, including land matters, tenancy disagreements and domestic issues, and instead concentrate on tackling violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism and organised criminal activities.
He maintained that reclaiming the Police’s primary mandate of safeguarding lives and property remains essential to rebuilding public confidence and repositioning the institution as a symbol of national pride.