In a bold open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called for an urgent shake-up of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), warning that the current state of the institution threatens national peace, security, and democracy.
Adeyanju, in his strongly worded message, said the police force has become a tool of intimidation and fear under the current Inspector-General of Police. He described the NPF as “personalized and weaponized,” adding that it is now being used to settle private scores instead of protecting citizens.
“The civic space is shrinking. People can no longer freely express themselves or protest without fear of harassment or arrest,” Adeyanju stated.
He expressed deep concern over the poor welfare of police officers, saying most of them work in difficult and dehumanizing conditions. According to him, the morale of officers is at an all-time low due to poor salaries, lack of basic working tools, and unfair promotion practices rooted in ethnicity and favoritism.
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“A force that is deprived of dignity cannot enforce the law with dignity,” he emphasized.
The activist noted that despite growing public outcry and even recent protests by police personnel, no meaningful action has been taken to reform the force or improve the lives of those who risk their lives to maintain order.
Adeyanju concluded by urging President Tinubu to remove the current Inspector-General of Police and appoint someone who respects the rule of law, human rights, and the Nigerian Constitution.
