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The newly appointed Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Muhammed Sanusi, has pledged to rebuild public confidence in the police through improved intelligence gathering, protection of informants, and strict respect for human rights.
Speaking at his inaugural press conference at the FCT Police Command Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, March 25, 2026, Sanusi said restoring trust between the public and the police would be central to his leadership, stressing that effective policing depends heavily on public cooperation.
The FCT police chief acknowledged that mistrust between citizens and law enforcement had been fueled over the years by fears that identities of informants could be exposed, discouraging many residents from volunteering critical information.
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According to him, his administration would change that narrative by ensuring that useful intelligence from members of the public is handled professionally and confidentially.
“People are scared to come and give information to the police because they feel their identities will be disclosed,” Sanusi said. “We will try as much as possible to utilise useful information, conceal the identity of our informants and also be prompt to attend to whatever situations that come before us.”
Sanusi assured residents that the FCT Command under his watch would operate an open-door policy, encouraging stronger collaboration between the police and communities across the territory.
He noted that intelligence-led policing would remain a key strategy in tackling criminality, vowing that the command would be proactive, professional and relentless in identifying and flushing out criminal elements from the nation’s capital.
The commissioner also placed strong emphasis on human rights, declaring that all suspects and members of the public must be treated with dignity, regardless of the circumstances of their arrest.
He said arrest does not amount to guilt, noting that only the courts have the constitutional authority to determine the fate of suspects.
“The fact that we arrest you does not mean that you are condemned. Until we take you to court, the court will decide your fate. But once you are with us, we will give you the best of treatment,” he stated.
Sanusi added that humane treatment of suspects and professionalism in police conduct would help improve the image of the force and foster greater trust from the public.
He further warned officers and men of the FCT Command against indiscipline and unprofessional conduct, insisting that personnel must remain civil in their interactions with residents and uphold the highest standards of service.
While reaffirming his commitment to strengthening the security architecture of the FCT, the commissioner said the command would remain responsive to public concerns and strategic in its operations.
Sanusi, who formally took over leadership of the command from his predecessor, said his goal is to build on existing gains while introducing reforms that will make the police more accountable, people-oriented and effective in crime prevention.
He urged residents of the FCT to see security as a shared responsibility and to partner with the police by providing timely and credible information that can help keep communities safe.
