By Paul Joseph
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has called for intensified nationwide sensitisation on environmental crimes, as the Nigeria Police Force moves to deepen collaboration with civil society organisations focused on environmental protection.
Disu made the call while receiving representatives of CRUX Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development during a courtesy visit on Wednesday aimed at strengthening cooperation between security agencies and environmental stakeholders.
He noted that environmental offences pose significant threats to public health, safety, and national development, stressing the need for collective action to address the challenge.
The police chief cited recurring flooding in Lagos and other urban centres as evidence of the consequences of poor environmental practices, particularly indiscriminate waste disposal.
“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.
He also expressed concern over illegal hunting, wildlife depletion, and weak conservation practices, describing environmental protection as a shared responsibility requiring public awareness and enforcement.
While responding to calls for the creation of a specialised environmental crime unit, Disu said the Police Force would instead focus on strengthening internal sensitisation and inter-agency cooperation.
He explained that Commissioners of Police nationwide would be directed to cascade awareness efforts to Divisional Police Officers, while encouraging collaboration with relevant agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“Crime prevention is everybody’s business,” he said, urging citizens to actively report environmental violations and support law enforcement efforts to protect public infrastructure and natural resources.
Earlier, CRUX representative Engr. Koko Ademuyiwa said the proposed partnership seeks to establish a structured framework for addressing environmental crimes including illegal dumping, pollution, deforestation, unlawful mining, and wildlife trafficking.
He said the initiative would involve capacity building, technical support, joint monitoring operations, and community engagement to improve enforcement and promote environmental justice.
Ademuyiwa noted that despite existing constitutional and legal provisions such as Section 20 of the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act 2020 enforcement remains weak due to limited coordination and technical capacity among agencies.
He added that strengthening environmental law enforcement would also advance broader human rights goals, including access to a clean and healthy environment.
The engagement highlights growing calls for stronger institutional collaboration in tackling environmental degradation across Nigeria.
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