The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has identified responsible parenting, discipline and good values at home as critical to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, warning that policing alone cannot guarantee a safe society.

Disu made this known in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday, while serving as chief launcher at the unveiling of Origin of Police Women in Nigeria: The Story of the Pioneer Women Officers and My Journey in the Nigeria Police Force (1955–1996), authored by 96-year-old retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dame Stella O. Okuyiga.

The IGP stressed that effective policing must be supported by homes that teach children discipline, respect for the law and positive values. He added that responsible parenting, law-abiding communities and stronger cooperation between the public and the Police were essential to national security.According to Disu, the failure to instil appropriate values in children can contribute to delinquency and some of the security challenges confronting the country.

IGP DISU CELEBRATES PIONEERING POLICE WOMEN

Beyond the security message, the event celebrated the courage and achievements of women who helped shape the Nigeria Police Force.

Disu described the book launch as more than a literary occasion, noting that it recognised the sacrifices of pioneering female officers who broke barriers and created opportunities for subsequent generations.

He also highlighted the significance of the event coinciding with the International Week of the Girl Child, emphasising that gender should never limit the ambitions or opportunities available to girls.

DAME STELLA OKUYIGA’S LEGACY

Disu paid tribute to Dame Stella O. Okuyiga, one of the first 20 women admitted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1955, describing her generation as trailblazers who established a place for women in an institution where opportunities were once limited.

Her book documents an important chapter in the history of women in Nigerian policing and reflects her personal journey through the Force between 1955 and 1996.

The event highlighted two important messages: the need for families and communities to support national security through responsible parenting, and the importance of recognising the women whose courage and service helped transform the Nigeria Police Force.