IG Egbetokun bans police from making arbitrary arrests, detaining youths, collecting phones, and conducting searches

The Nigerian Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate halt to unnecessary arrests and detention of youths all over Nigeria.

The IGP, who is currently under fire over incessant arbitrary arrests, detentions and human rights violations, also directed that all arbitrary collection and checking of phones be stopped immediately.

Egbetokun warned that going forward, any police personnel caught indulging in the prohibited acts would be punished including the Commissioner of Police of the command and their supervisors.

The warning is contained in a police wireless message dated December 13, 2024 and addressed to all the State Commands which was obtained by Pidom Nigeria.

In the letter signed by the Department of Operations for the Force Headquarters, the police hierarchy stated that such impunity and unlawful attitudes are portraying the Nigeria Police Force in bad light.

According to the message, all these infractions culminated to the #EndSARS protest which led to the d£struction of properties and k+lling in the past.

The message with DTO: 111996/ and Ref: CB:0900/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.TIO/157 was titled: Order and directives: Arbitrary Arrest and Detention.

It partly read, “Arbitrary Arrest, Detention: NIGPOL DCPS ABUJA DIRECTS: HENCEFORTH THERE SHOULD BE NO UNNECESSARY ARREST AND DETENTION OF YOUTHS COLLECTING OF PHONES, CHECKING OF PHONES, AT CHECKING POINTS. THESE SHOULD STOP. THIS ATTITUDE IS Portraying THE Nigeria POLICE FORCE IN BAD IMAGE. ALL THESE CULMINATED TO END-SARS PROTEST; D£STROYING OF PROPERTIES K+LLING IN THE PAST. NIGPOL DOPS DIRECTS YOU DESIST FROM SUCH UNLAWFUL ACTS. ANYONE CAUGHT WILL BE DISCIPLINED ALONG WITH COMMANDS COMPOLS/SUPERVISORS AS INGENPOL WILL DEPLOYED MONITORING UNITS FOR Enforcement OF THIS DIRECTIVES. TREAT AS VERY IMPORTANT.”