The president, represented by vice-president Kashim Shettima made the call at the 2026 National Police Day Grand Parade in Abuja on Tuesday .

“When citizens and law enforcement stand on opposite sides of all suspicions, insecurity thrives. This is why, as a democratic necessity, the police must remain connected to the people, attentive to their concerns, respectful to their dignity, and responsive to their needs.”
The president also noted that Nigerians must begin to see the police as partners in maintaining peace and public safety, stating that ” the people in turn must see the police not as a distant force but as partners in the collective task of preserving peace,” Tinubu said.

Meanwhile , the inspector-general of police IGP Olatunji Disu has charged officers of the Nigeria Police Force to rise above indiscipline and misconduct, warning that accountability would be enforced without exception.
According to him, “The Nigeria Police Force must rise. We must rise above indiscipline. We must rise above misconduct. We must rise above every action that diminishes the honour of this uniform.

He added that “And let me say this with equal clarity: This leadership will stand firmly with every officer who does what is right. We will improve your welfare. We will strengthen your capacity. We will equip you properly. Because a respected and professional Police Force must be built on officers who are supported, trained, and treated with dignity.”
