IGP Talks Tough After Kemi Badenoch’s Rants

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

This comes amid growing concerns across Nigeria over misconduct especially following assertions by the United Kingdom opposition leader, Kemi Badenoch over police abuses.

According to a leaked wireless memo dated December 13, 2024, the directive was addressed to all state police commands, stressing the need to end 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 both offending officers and their supervisors would face severe punishment if the unlawful activities persisted.

The memo, circulating on social media and sighted by GWG, cited the fallout from the 2020 #EndSARS protests as a stark reminder of the consequences of police misconduct. The protests, driven by grievances over police brutality, led to widespread destruction, loss of lives, and a significant 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 emphasized that command commissioners and supervisors would be held accountable for any violations, with monitoring units set to enforce compliance.

GWG.ng reports that 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. Many believe the latest police directive could be a response to her widely publicized comments.

The police leadership’s firm stance aims to avoid a repeat of the events of 2020, as Nigerians remain watchful for tangible changes in the behavior of officers nationwide. The directive is already being met with cautious optimism on social media, with many calling for strict enforcement and accountability to ensure the ban is not merely on paper.
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