IG warns newly promoted officers against corruption, abuse of office

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned newly promoted senior officers against corruption, abuse of office and indiscipline, stressing that misconduct would not be tolerated under his leadership.

Disu gave the warning on Monday at the decoration ceremony of officers elevated to the ranks of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The IGP said the promotion of the officers was not a reward but a responsibility that placed them under greater scrutiny and demanded higher standards of leadership and conduct.

“From this moment, you are no longer just senior officers; you are strategic leaders of this institution. You are expected to lead from the front. Your actions, decisions, and personal conduct must reflect discipline, integrity, and absolute respect for the rule of law. There will be zero tolerance for indiscipline, abuse of office, corruption, or dereliction of duty under your command. You must take full responsibility for the conduct of your personnel,” he said.

He charged the newly promoted officers to take full responsibility for the conduct of personnel under their commands, noting that lax supervision often breeds misconduct.

The police chief added that they would be held accountable for both operational outcomes and the behaviour of officers under their authority.

“Supervision must be firm, consistent, and effective. You must know what is happening within your Commands at all times. Lax supervision breeds misconduct; strong leadership enforces standards. I will hold you accountable for both operational outcomes and the behaviour of officers under your authority, ” he said.

Disu also emphasised the need for people-oriented policing, stating that professionalism, respect for human rights and responsiveness to public needs must guide operations across commands.

He said the Force was committed to reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency, accountability and public trust, urging the officers to embrace innovation and eliminate outdated practices.

The IGP further announced that newly promoted Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police would proceed on a strategic leadership retreat beginning March 24, 2026.

He said the retreat, organised by the Police Reform Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, would focus on transformational leadership, professionalism and modern policing standards.

Online reports that on March 6, no fewer than seven Assistant Inspectors-General have been promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General.

They replaced the DIGs who worked the immediate past IG, Kayode Egbetokun.

Culled from punch