The recent prohibition of arbitrary arrests and phone seizures by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has sparked a wave of skepticism among the public, fueled by a long history of police misconduct.
Many social media users have expressed doubts about the effectiveness of these orders and whether they will be observed by law enforcement officers.
An X user, @Irunia pointed out that Monday’s directive by the police chief marks the third time this year that such practices have been banned by the police. The X user questioned the police’s respect for their own boss.
@Irunnia said: “Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is like the third time they’re banning this practice this year. It seems the police do not respect their inspector-general.”
@Arakunni_MFR commented that “it is encouraging to read that the inspector-general of police has prohibited the arbitrary arrest and detention of young people nationwide, but when can citizens expect this policy to be implemented immediately? Given the lack of confidence in the organization and its historical records, citizens might dismiss this information easily because officers often fail to adhere to it.”
Due to the police’s troubled history, many citizens are skeptical about potential changes. Some suggest complying quietly with officers during the festive season to avoid conflict, reflecting a resigned attitude. There are also calls for better training and oversight to ensure effective enforcement of prohibitions.
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@JacobAmeh6 stated that “this man is just trying to set you guys up. If you have to deal with the police this festive season, it’s best to comply quietly to avoid any confrontations. We’ve been hearing things like this from the inspector-general for a long time.”
@NwokeAkweze said: “Announcing it here is not enough. We all know that these issues occur in the field. They need proper training, awareness and oversight. I hope we see some changes, but I have my doubts.”
Lastly, some users commended the leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, Kemi Badenoch for shedding light on serious issues within the police and governance, suggesting that similar outrage would be unthinkable if such abuses occurred in the UK.
@Muonago_n expressed a similar sentiment, saying on his handle that “kudos to Kemi Badenoch; her exposé has borne fruit. For those criticizing her for speaking the truth, only the truth can set you free. No British citizen would tolerate the atrocities committed by the police and politicians if they were in the UK. Everything Kemi said is happening in Nigeria.”
