The Nigerian Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a directive to halt the unnecessary arrest and detention of youths across Nigeria. This move comes as part of his effort to address concerns about police actions that have tarnished the image of the Nigeria Police Force and led to public unrest.
Egbetokun also called for an end to the practice of officers collecting and checking the phones of individuals at checkpoints, emphasizing that such actions have been widely criticized and should no longer be tolerated. The directive was outlined in a letter from the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters.
The Inspector General pointed out that these practices have long been a source of public dissatisfaction, contributing significantly to the EndSars protests, which led to widespread property destruction and tragic loss of lives in the past. He stressed that such actions continue to negatively impact the public's perception of the police force, undermining its authority and legitimacy.
Egbetokun warned that any police personnel found engaging in these prohibited activities will face disciplinary action, as determined by the commissioner of police in their command and their supervising officers. He emphasized that this change is crucial for restoring trust between the police and the public.
The statement reads, “Henceforth, there should be no unnecessary arrest and detention of youths, collection of phones, checking of phones at checkpoints, these should stop. This attitude is portraying the Nigeria Police Force in bad image. All these culminated to endsars protest, destroying of properties, killings in the past. NIGPOL DOPS direct you desist from such unlawful acts. Anyone caught will be disciplined.”
