The Nigeria Police Force says it is strengthening its internal accountability system by upgrading its Complaint Response Unit (CRU), a digital platform designed to receive, track and resolve complaints from members of the public.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, the newly appointed Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem, said the enhanced CRU reflects the Force’s commitment to greater transparency, faster response times and improved public confidence.
Edem described the visit as part of his familiarisation tour and called for stronger collaboration between the police and the media to increase public awareness of ongoing reforms.
According to him, the CRU operates round-the-clock as the police’s primary internal accountability mechanism, handling allegations of professional misconduct, extortion, harassment and human rights abuses against officers across the country.
He said recent upgrades to the platform are intended to speed up complaint resolution, improve case tracking and ensure greater transparency in how cases are handled.
“The Complaint Response Unit is one of the Force’s foremost internal accountability mechanisms. The improvements are aimed at reducing response times, enhancing case tracking and increasing transparency, in line with the Inspector-General’s commitment to reform,” Edem said.
The Force spokesperson also announced plans to organise a media parley with Zone 7 Command, saying the engagement would provide journalists with more opportunities to understand and accurately report police reform initiatives.
“Journalists are part of the police family,” he said. “Informed reporting will help the public hold institutions accountable while supporting constructive reforms.”
Responding, NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, welcomed the renewed focus on accountability and assured the police of the union’s support in promoting public awareness of the Complaint Response Unit.
She commended Edem for his open approach to media engagement and pledged that journalists would continue to highlight citizens’ complaints while monitoring developments surrounding the CRU.
“The NUJ FCT Council is ready to collaborate in ensuring that citizens’ complaints are amplified and that issues raised through the CRU receive the public attention and follow-up they deserve,” Ike said.
The renewed partnership, both organisations said, is expected to strengthen public trust by ensuring citizens are better informed about how complaints against police officers can be submitted, monitored and resolved.
