Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police, has pledged that the police will act professionally before, during and after the 2027 general elections, saying lessons from recent polls have been used to prepare commanders and senior officers nationwide.
He said the conduct of police personnel during the general elections would make Nigerians happy and proud of the force.
Disu was speaking after the launch of a book, The Origin of Women in the Nigeria Police Force, written by 96-year-old Stella Okuyiga, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police and one of the first 20 female officers to join the Nigeria Police Force.
The Inspector-General of Police said the Force had organised a meeting with police commissioners across the country to ensure professionalism during the polls.
He said, “I want to let you know that we just finished a conference of all commissioners of police and other senior officers. We have had two or three elections recently, and you can see the police did very well, and we did too.
“We have now brought all these experiences together, where we did well and where we did not do well, so that we can perform better in this big election that everybody is looking up to.
“I give you my word. Nigeria Police will do so well, and we will make Nigeria Police so proud, and we will make Nigerians proud.”
Disu, while commenting on the book written by Okuyiga, commended the contributions of female officers to the development of the police force.
He said the author was among the first women to join the Nigerian police in 1955, adding that the force is pleased with her achievements.
The Inspector-General of Police said the achievements of women in the Nigeria Police Force show that competence, leadership and dedication are not defined by gender.
Disu, who served as chief launcher at the event in Port Harcourt, said women officers had moved beyond administrative and traffic duties into criminal investigation, intelligence, tactical operations, specialist policing and strategic management.
He said, “Today, women officers have moved beyond administrative and traffic duties into criminal investigation, intelligence, tactical operations, specialist policing and strategic management. They lead commands and direct operations, proving that competence, leadership and dedication are not defined by gender.”
Disu described the book launch as a celebration of courage, service and the pioneering efforts of women who helped shape the Nigeria Police Force. He said the event coincided with the International Week of the Girl Child, underscoring the need to ensure that gender did not limit the ambitions of girls.
He recalled that when women were first admitted into the force in 1955, their roles and opportunities were limited. He said the pioneer officers demonstrated competence, determination and resilience, opening doors for later generations.
The Inspector-General of Police described Okuyiga as a member of a distinguished generation that entered uncharted territory and established a place for women in an institution where their opportunities were once limited.
“Mama, your service represents not merely a personal career but a significant chapter in the history of our force,” he said.
He also said Okuyiga’s remarks on parental responsibility carried an important message for national security. He said policing alone could not guarantee a safe nation, adding that homes, communities and the police must work together to instil discipline and support the law.
Okuyiga described the launch as a significant milestone in her life. She said the publication would preserve her experiences and ensure that her legacy endured through libraries around the world.
She said the police force had undergone significant changes since she joined in 1955, noting that population growth had created new policing challenges. Okuyiga also commended Disu for encouraging female officers to pursue education, skills and career advancement.
Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, said the book documented the courage, sacrifices and achievements of women who contributed to the development of the force.
He said their stories deserved to be preserved and passed on to future generations, adding that the contributions of women to policing showed that professionalism, discipline and commitment to public service transcended gender.
Fubara urged young women to draw inspiration from the pioneer officers and pursue leadership roles in law enforcement and other areas of national development.
Ibrahim Gaidam, Minister of Police Affairs, represented by a director in the ministry, said the publication would preserve the history of women in policing, honour their contributions and inspire young girls to serve the country with pride.
Aishatu Abubakar, Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Force Gender Adviser to Disu, delivered a lecture on the evolution of women in policing and national security.
Related News
