The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, is reportedly taking steps to limit the involvement of the Nigeria Police Force in politically sensitive matters across the country.
Sources familiar with the development who spoke with Sahara Reporters said the move is aimed at restoring professionalism and ensuring neutrality in policing.
The development follows controversy in Osun State, where police operatives were deployed to local government secretariats amid a dispute over the tenure of council chairmen.
The situation, which is currently before the courts, attracted national attention and raised questions about the role of the police in political conflicts.
Court documents indicate that the tenure of the affected chairmen expired in October 2025, although some of them reportedly continued to occupy their offices.
Sources at the Force Headquarters disclosed that the IGP is reviewing legal briefs and internal reports to ensure that the police are not perceived as supporting unlawful occupation of offices.
According to the sources, directives may soon be issued to withdraw police personnel from disputed local government secretariats and redeploy them to routine duties.
The planned directive is also expected to address concerns about the police’s involvement in political petitions and arrests linked to political actors.
One of the sources said the move is part of broader reforms to reinforce impartiality within the Force.
“The new IGP is planning reforms to restore the integrity of the police. The report he received in the case involving Osun, for instance, also highlighted concerns about public perception and the need to maintain impartiality,” the source said.
“He has specific instructions to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, directly from the National Security Adviser and the President,” the source added.
Court Declines Further Adjournment
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has dismissed applications seeking to delay proceedings in a suit over the tenure of local government officials in Osun State.
The court, presided over by Justice A.A. Demi-Ajayi, refused two applications filed by counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking adjournment.
The judge held that the matter had lingered for too long and that the court would no longer entertain “needless adjournment in the interest of justice.”
The suit was filed by officials under the APC, who are seeking judicial clarification on the legality of their tenure in office.
While the plaintiffs argued that a Court of Appeal judgment restored them to office, the defendants countered that the decision had been misinterpreted.
They maintained that the continued occupation of the secretariats by the officials amounted to disobedience of earlier court judgments which removed them from office.
The court subsequently directed all parties to open their cases, as it prepares to deliver judgment on the matter.
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