IGP Kayode Egbetokun Bans Arbitrary Arrests, Detention of Youths, Searching, Collection of Phones at Checkpoints
By: Olufemi Orunsola
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern directive, banning arbitrary arrests and detention of youths by the police in Nigeria.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that the new directive also prohibits the collection and checking of phones by police personnel at checkpoints and during routine patrols.
OTN News further reports that the new order was contained in a police wireless message, signed by the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, dated December 13, 2024, and addressed to all State Commands with with reference DTO: 111996/ and Ref: CB:0900/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.TIO/157.
OTN News reports that the new directive is coming on the eve of the condemnation of rising cases of police misconduct, human rights violations, and unlawful activities.
According to the message, “Arbitrary arrests, detention of youths, and collection or checking of phones must stop immediately. These attitudes are portraying the Nigeria Police Force in bad light."
The new directive came with a stern condition that any officer found violating these directives would face severe disciplinary action alongside the Command’s Commissioner of Police and supervisors.
The Inspector-General who acknowledged that such unlawful actions were part of the factors that culminated in the #EndSARS protest, which led to widespread destruction of properties and loss of lives across the country, emphasized that , “There should be no unnecessary arrest and detention of youths, collection or checking of phones at checkpoints. These attitudes culminated in the EndSARS protest, destruction of properties, and killings in the past. Anyone caught indulging in these unlawful acts will face disciplinary action, alongside the Commands' Commissioners of Police and supervisors. The IGP will deploy monitoring units to enforce this directive. Treat as very important.”
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