By Bako Christopher
Abuja, Nigeria – The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has charged 29 newly promoted Senior Police Officers to see their elevation not as a reward to be enjoyed, but as a greater responsibility to be discharged.
Disu gave the charge on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the decoration ceremony of 2 Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, 10 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and 17 Commissioners of Police, held at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“Promotion is not a reward to be enjoyed. It is a greater responsibility to be discharged. Higher rank brings higher accountability, and the Force and the Nigerian people will hold you to it,” the IGP said.
Recalling his own promotion experience, Disu told the officers that the thought that stayed with him was not “I have arrived,” but “now everyone is watching.”
“Today, you stand where I once stood. Your officers are watching. Your communities are watching. History is watching too,” he said.
The IGP gave the newly decorated officers three charges – integrity, welfare of officers, and public trust.
On integrity, he declared zero tolerance for corruption, abuse of office and indiscipline, beginning with the senior officers themselves.
“Do not demand standards you are unwilling to demonstrate. Do not preach discipline while practising indiscipline. Your subordinates must see in you the very best of this Force,” Disu warned.
On welfare, he urged the officers to take mentorship seriously, identify, encourage and develop younger officers under their command, and look after the welfare of the men and women who serve under them.
“An officer who is neglected cannot be expected to serve with honour. The true measure of your leadership will not be only what you achieve during your tenure, but the quality of officers you leave behind,” he said.
On public trust, Disu said the officers must be active drivers of the ongoing repositioning of the Force into a professional, accountable, intelligence-led and people-oriented institution.
“Trust is not built in speeches. It is built at the counter, on the road and in the community, through fairness, respect for human rights and a prompt response to the needs of the people,” he said.
In a move to ensure the charges do not remain mere words, the IGP directed each of the promoted officers to submit, within 90 days, a written plan for the command, department, formation or office under their charge.
The plan, he said, must set out clear and measurable targets on integrity, welfare and public trust, tied to their specific mandate.
“I will review every plan, and I will follow up,” Disu declared.
He also acknowledged the families and loved ones of the newly promoted officers, describing their late nights, postings far from home and missed family occasions as the quiet sacrifices behind every rank.
Disu expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for the Nigeria Police Force, and commended the Chairman and members of the Police Service Commission for a credible, transparent and merit-based promotion process.
“Let your conduct in office prove that process right,” he said.
Closing his address, the IGP urged the officers to wear their new ranks with pride, but never with arrogance.
“You have been entrusted with greater authority. Now demonstrate greater responsibility. You have been elevated in rank. Now elevate the standard of leadership.
“Remember this: rank is conferred by the Commission, but respect is earned by conduct,” Disu said.
