Police to Strengthen Complaint Response Unit, Deepen Media Partnership for Greater Accountability By Raymond Enoch
The Nigeria Police Force has unveiled plans to strengthen its Complaint Response Unit (CRU) as part of renewed efforts to improve internal accountability, enhance transparency and foster stronger collaboration with the media.
The Force’s newly appointed Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, on Friday, where he underscored the critical role of the media in promoting public confidence in ongoing police reforms.
Describing the visit as part of his familiarisation tour, CSP Edem said the CRU remains the Force’s flagship internal accountability platform, operating round the clock to receive, monitor and resolve complaints from members of the public.
According to him, the unit handles allegations ranging from professional misconduct and extortion to harassment and human rights violations involving police personnel across the country.
He explained that recent improvements to the CRU are aimed at reducing response times, enhancing complaint tracking and ensuring greater transparency in the handling and resolution of cases. The reforms, he noted, reflect the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police to building a more accountable, citizen-focused police force.
CSP Edem also announced plans to convene a media parley with Police Zone 7 Command as part of efforts to strengthen engagement between the police and journalists at the zonal level.
He encouraged media professionals to actively participate, stressing that accurate and balanced reporting is essential to deepening public understanding of police reforms.
> “Journalists are part of the police family,” he said, adding that responsible journalism would not only keep institutions accountable but also support constructive reforms within the Force.
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, welcomed the planned enhancement of the Complaint Response Unit and reaffirmed the union’s commitment to working closely with the Police.
She commended CSP Edem’s openness and accessibility, assuring him that journalists would continue to amplify citizens’ concerns while providing sustained coverage of developments within the CRU to ensure transparency and public accountability.
The renewed focus on strengthening the Complaint Response Unit is expected to provide citizens with a more responsive channel for seeking redress, while reinforcing the media’s watchdog role in promoting accountability, public trust and institutional reform within the Nigeria Police Force.
