The Kogi State Police Command has called for improved relations between the police and members of the public, urging officers to treat citizens with professionalism, respect and responsiveness.
Commissioner of Police, CP Nazir Kankarofi, stated this in Lokoja during the command’s 2026 Customer Service Week where stakeholders raised concerns about police conduct, complaints handling and community relations.
Speaking on the theme of the event , “The Extra Mile.” CP Kankarofi acknowledged that allegations of police brutality, extrajudicial activities, corruption and other forms of misconduct by some officers have continued to affect public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
The Commissioner of Police called on civil society organisations, religious bodies, community leaders and other stakeholders to speak openly about shortcomings in policing rather than offering what he described as “sugar-coated” speeches.
While describing civil society organisations as an important bridge between the police and the communities they serve, the Police Commissioner said their interventions in human rights advocacy, anti-human trafficking and other areas had helped the police identify gaps.
He traced some of the challenges confronting modern policing to the historical structure of the colonial police, which, he said, was established largely to protect colonial interests and suppress the local population.
The Commissioner called for deliberate efforts to dismantle such attitudes and build a police institution that listens to citizens, respects human rights and takes public perception seriously.
He also challenged the command to “fish out the bad eggs,” stressing that accountability, responsiveness and regular engagement with citizens were essential to improving public confidence.
The Acting Officer in Charge, SERVICOM Unit, ASP Chikak Emmanuel while reintroducing the unit , said the mechanism was designed to strengthen citizen-focused and responsive policing.
He explained that the unit receives and documents complaints, forwards them to relevant authorities and is expected to acknowledge complaints within 48 hours.
Emmanuel said the unit would also engage communities, obtain feedback on police services and identify gaps in service delivery.
