The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has banned arbitrary arrests, phone searches, and harassment of youths nationwide. The directive aims to restore public trust, prevent human rights violations, and address misconduct that previously fueled the #EndSARS protests. Officers and supervisors violating the order will face strict disciplinary action.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a strict directive banning arbitrary arrests, detention of youths, and unauthorized phone searches by police officers across Nigeria. The decision comes amidst mounting criticism of the Nigerian Police Force’s alleged human rights violations and misconduct.
The directive, contained in a wireless message dated December 13, 2024, was addressed to all state commands and signed by the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters. It emphasized that such unlawful acts, including indiscriminate phone checks at checkpoints, have severely tarnished the image of the police.
IGP Egbetokun highlighted that past infractions of this nature, particularly harassment of youths, were a major catalyst for the nationwide #EndSARS protests, which resulted in significant destruction of property and loss of lives. He warned that any officer found engaging in these prohibited acts would face immediate disciplinary action. The punishment will extend to the Commissioner of Police (CP) of the affected command and supervising officers.
The statement explicitly ordered police officers to stop all unnecessary arrests, detentions, and phone confiscations, describing these behaviors as illegal and damaging to public trust. To ensure compliance, the Inspector-General has mobilized a monitoring unit to enforce the new directive nationwide.
Nigerians online have responded to the move with mixed reactions, with some speculating that the decision may have been influenced by recent criticisms from international figures, including Kemi Badenoch, regarding police misconduct in Nigeria.
This directive represents a renewed attempt by the Nigerian Police Force to rebuild its public image and address long-standing concerns over abuse of power, particularly against young Nigerians. The IGP’s warning is clear: failure to comply will result in severe consequences for offenders and their supervisors.
