Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana on Thursday led a delegation of civil society organisations to meet with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation, made up largely of senior lawyers and prominent human rights advocates, highlighted key concerns affecting citizens across Nigeria. Among those present were representatives from groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Yiaga Africa, alongside other legal and advocacy bodies.
Speaking during the meeting, Falana congratulated Disu on his appointment and commended his vision of policing rooted in the protection of human rights. He stressed the importance of full compliance with the Nigeria Police Act 2020, particularly provisions mandating family notification after arrests, access to legal representation for suspects, and the prohibition of arrests over civil matters.
Falana further called for stronger accountability systems to ensure officers respect constitutional rights and face consequences for misconduct.
In his response, Disu thanked the delegation for their engagement and reaffirmed his commitment to a people-focused policing strategy. He noted that effective policing must address both major crimes and everyday concerns of citizens.
The police chief also outlined ongoing reforms within the force, including updated training manuals, improved welfare for officers, and stricter directives to prevent involvement in civil disputes. He pledged to strengthen mechanisms such as the Complaint Response Unit and the Monitoring Unit to enhance transparency and accountability.
Disu concluded by expressing confidence that a more effective and rights-respecting police force is achievable, reiterating the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to upholding human rights in all its operations.
