Don’t use roadblocks and raids for extortion – IGP warns police officers

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has warned police officers in the Federal Capital (FCT) against using crime prevention measures such as roadblocks and raids as an avenue to extort Nigerians.

The police chief gave the warning during a one-day duty tour in took at the FCT police command on Tuesday, March 1.

Speaking during the tour, Usman Baba specifically warned Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Area Commanders and Police Tactical Teams, stating their functions as security agents should not create difficult situations for road users and other law-abiding citizens.

“We must ensure that they serve the purpose for which they are deployed. Don’t raid because you want to detain people and begin to ask for bail. Don’t be on the road doing stop and search because you want to create a difficult situation for road users so that you can extort.

Whatever crime prevention measure you want to adopt, you must use it effectively and with the fear of God. The job of policing belongs to everybody and we must all come together to cooperate and synergise if we must police our communities effectively.

Police, as a lead agency in internal security, must exploit this area of collaboration with the people. The space is wide, there is no need for rivalry or to outsmart others because every security agency, including the police, are working to checkmate the activities of criminals.”