IGP bans arbitrary arrests, phone searches and youth harassment by police

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a directive banning arbitrary arrests, harassment of youths, and the checking of mobile phones by police officers across the country.

The directive follows rising concerns over police misconduct, particularly after recent comments by the United Kingdom opposition leader, Kemi Badenoch, on police abuses in Nigeria.

According to The Nation, the directive was sent to all state police commands, emphasizing the need to curb human rights violations and restore the Nigeria Police Force’s reputation.

The document, signed by the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters, warned that erring officers and their supervisors would face severe penalties if the unlawful practices continued.

The memo, which has been circulating on social media and was sighted by The Nation, also referenced the 2020 #EndSARS protests as a stark reminder of the consequences of police misconduct.

The protests, fueled by widespread grievances over police brutality, resulted in significant destruction, loss of lives, and a severe erosion of public trust in law enforcement.

The message, titled “Order and Directives: Arbitrary Arrest and Detention,” reiterated that youth harassment, phone seizures, and unnecessary detentions at checkpoints must cease immediately.

It further emphasised that command commissioners and supervisors would be held accountable for any violations, with monitoring units set to enforce compliance.

This development comes just days after the UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, publicly accused the Nigerian police of corruption and using their guns to steal from citizens. Badenoch alleged that officers stole her brother’s shoe and wristwatch, reigniting discussions about law enforcement misconduct in Nigeria.