Egbetokun’s bold reforms will transform policing in Nigeria, says group

The Justice Watch Initiative (JWI), a civil society group, has commended Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), for his “bold and transformative reforms” in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

A statement on Monday issued by Ilechukwu Obiorah, president of the JWI, described Egbetokun’s directives on case transfers, police authority misuse, and frivolous petitions as “landmark decisions” in reshaping policing across the country.

Obiorah alleged that some police officers have exploited the system to financially burden complainants.

He said the new measures, which include prohibiting police interference in civil matters such as land disputes, would reduce the chances of abuse.

The group also welcomed the IGP’s decision to introduce stricter rules on petitions, requiring claimants to verify their allegations.

This move, JWI said, would help prevent powerful individuals from using false claims to harass or intimidate others.

“For too long, Nigerians have suffered from the endless shuffling of cases from one division to another, leading to undue delays, waste of resources, and outright frustration for victims” Obiorah said.

“This unwholesome practice has also allowed some unscrupulous officers to exploit complainants financially.

“By putting an end to this anomaly, the IGP has shown his deep understanding of the issues affecting policing and his commitment to solving them.

“This is a brilliant step toward ensuring that justice is not weaponized for personal vendettas. Too often, powerful individuals use fraudulent petitions to harass and intimidate innocent citizens, dragging them through unnecessary police investigations.”

Obiorah applauded the IGP’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and his emphasis on transparency and accountability.

He also commended the IGP’s stricter petition regulations, requiring claimants to verify their allegations to combat false claims.

“The IGP’s insistence that petitioners must declare the authenticity of their complaints and will be sanctioned if they provide false information is a strong deterrent against such abuse. This move will free up police resources and allow officers to focus on real crimes,” Obiorah added.

He lauded the IGP’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and his emphasis on transparency and accountability.

“IGP Egbetokun is not just making speeches; he is implementing real, actionable reforms that will fundamentally change the way policing is done in Nigeria,” Obiorah added.

“His zero tolerance for corruption, his push for transparency, and his resolve to hold officers accountable for their actions show that he is a leader with a clear vision and an unshakable commitment to excellence.

“Under his leadership, officers and men of the Force are now being driven to work harder, more ethically, and with greater professionalism.”

Obiorah said the changes would ultimately create a more credible and citizen-friendly police force.

The group pledged continued support for the IGP’s reforms, urging police personnel to embrace the changes while working diligently to improve security and justice in the country.