The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern directive halting the arbitrary arrest, detention, and phone checking of youths by police officers across the country.
The directive comes with a warning that erring personnel and their supervisors will face severe punishment.
The directive, contained in a wireless message dated December 13, 2024, was dispatched to all state police commands. It emphasized the urgent need to curb human rights violations and unlawful practices that have continued to damage the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.
“There should be no unnecessary arrest and detention of youths, collecting of phones, and checking of phones at checking points. These should stop, as this attitude is portraying the Nigeria Police Force in a bad image,” the message stated.
The police leadership expressed fears that such impunity and misconduct could reignite public outrage, recalling the devastating 2020 #EndSARS protests. The protests, which began as a movement against police brutality, escalated into widespread destruction of properties and loss of lives.
The letter, signed by the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters and obtained by PidomNigeria, further warned that police commissioners and supervisors would be held accountable for violations occurring under their watch.
The directive, with reference DTO: 111996/ and Ref: CB:0900/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.TIO/157, was titled Order and Directives: Arbitrary Arrest and Detention. It reads in part:
“Arbitrary arrest x detention x nigpol dcps abuja directs x henceforth x there should be no unnecessary arrest and detention of youths x collecting of phones x checking of phones x at checking points x these should stop x this attitude is portraying the Nigeria Police Force in bad image x all these culminated to End-SARS protest x destruction of properties x killing in the past x nigpol dops directs you desist from such unlawful acts x anyone caught will be disciplined along with commands compols/supervisors as Ingenpol will deploy monitoring units for enforcement of this directives x treat as very important.”
Egbetokun’s directive underscores the need for reform and accountability within the police force to restore public trust. The Inspector-General made it clear that “anyone caught will be disciplined along with command commissioners and supervisors.” To enforce the directive, monitoring units will be deployed across police commands nationwide.
The statement highlights the Inspector-General’s resolve to address long-standing issues of police misconduct and to prevent a recurrence of events that led to the #EndSARS protests. Citizens and human rights advocates have welcomed the directive but emphasize the need for strict enforcement.
A youth rights activist, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “This directive is a step in the right direction, but Nigerians will only believe it when we see concrete actions. Police officers must respect the rights of citizens and stop these unlawful practices.”
Observers are watching closely to see if the directive will bring about meaningful change or remain yet another unimplemented policy. The Nigeria Police Force now faces the task of ensuring full compliance with Egbetokun’s order to avoid further public outrage and strengthen public confidence.
