Lagos Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani has warned officers against brutality, extortion, unlawful arrests and detention, threatening disciplinary action against personnel who violate human rights and professional standards.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Tijani, has warned police officers against brutality, extortion, unlawful arrests and detention, stressing that personnel found engaging in misconduct will face disciplinary action.
Tijani issued the warning on Thursday during a general lecture for officers and men of the Lagos State Police Command at the POWA Hall in GRA, Ikeja.
The event was organised in compliance with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi.
The lecture was attended by area commanders, divisional police officers, tactical commanders, heads of departments and other personnel from various units of the command.
Tijani emphasised the need for discipline, professionalism, accountability and strict adherence to the rule of law, urging officers to respect human rights and avoid conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the police.
He warned that supervisory officers would also be held responsible for the actions of personnel under their command.
“Supervisory officers will be held accountable for the conduct of personnel under their command,” he said.
The commissioner specifically cautioned tactical teams against extortion, brutality, intimidation, incivility and other unethical practices, directing them to carry out their duties with restraint and respect for citizens’ rights.
He also ordered strict compliance with the Nigeria Police Force’s Social Media Policy, warning that inappropriate online conduct capable of damaging the image of the Force would attract sanctions for offending officers and their responsible supervisors.
Addressing the fight against cultism, Tijani urged officers to intensify efforts to tackle the menace while ensuring that arrests were carried out lawfully and in accordance with due process.
He prohibited arrest by proxy and the detention of individuals without lawful justification.
The commissioner further directed personnel to safeguard the lives and welfare of suspects in custody and ensure they were treated humanely.
He stressed that security operations must be conducted within the framework of the law, with officers respecting the rights of individuals regardless of the allegations against them.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Tijani urged police personnel to remain neutral and professional in the discharge of their duties.
He directed officers to monitor electioneering campaigns and provide adequate security to maintain peace, public order and safety throughout the electoral period.
The commissioner also encouraged personnel to keep abreast of local and international developments, identify emerging security threats and continually improve their professional capacity and vigilance.
The police commissioner charged officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity, noting that public confidence could only be earned through responsible conduct, impartial enforcement of the law and respect for the rights of every citizen.
He reiterated that officers must perform their duties in a manner that promotes accountability, protects human dignity and strengthens the relationship between the police and the communities they serve.
The warning comes as the Lagos State Police Command seeks to reinforce professional standards, lawful policing and operational discipline among its personnel ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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