The inspector-general of police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, has called for sustained nationwide sensitisation on environmental crimes.
Disu made the call while receiving representatives of a civil society organisation, CRUX Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development, which visited the IGP to seek partnership with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to tackle ecological offences.
He acknowledged that environmental crimes posed serious threats to public health and safety, citing recurring flooding in Lagos as a consequence of poor environmental practices.
“Whenever it rains, floods come, and people blame the government, whereas refuse is often dumped indiscriminately in drainages. Our waters are polluted and constitute health hazards,” he said.
The IGP also raised concerns about wildlife depletion, illegal hunting, and the neglect of conservation efforts, noting that environmental protection required collective responsibility.
While responding to a proposal to establish a specialised police unit for environmental crimes, the IGP said the Force would instead prioritise awareness-raising within its ranks and across communities.
According to him, “What I will do is sensitise Commissioners of Police nationwide, who will in turn sensitise Divisional Police Officers to cooperate with you. Crime prevention is everybody’s business.”
He urged citizens to report environmental violations and collaborate with law enforcement agencies, including the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to safeguard public infrastructure and natural resources.
Disu recalled past environmental incidents, including the toxic waste dumping in Koko, Delta, and noted the activities of scavengers, locally referred to as “Babambola,” which he said contributed to infrastructure vandalism and urban nuisance.
Earlier, speaking on behalf of CRUX, Engr Koko Ademuyiwa said the proposed partnership aimed to establish a structured framework to combat environmental crimes, including illegal dumping, pollution, deforestation, unlawful mining, and wildlife trafficking.
He said the collaboration would involve capacity building, technical support, joint monitoring operations, and community engagement to strengthen enforcement and promote environmental justice.
Koko noted that despite constitutional provisions and existing environmental laws, enforcement remained weak due to limited technical expertise and coordination among relevant agencies.
He cited Section 20 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the protection of the environment, as well as provisions of the Police Act, 2020, which empower the police to prevent and investigate all forms of crime, including environmental offences.
According to him, the partnership would also leverage provisions of the Police Act that encourage inter-agency cooperation and specialised training, thereby enhancing the Force’s capacity to address environmental challenges.
He added that strengthening environmental law enforcement was critical to addressing broader human rights concerns, including the rights to life, health and a clean environment.
