Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has issued a strong directive prohibiting police officers from accompanying parties involved in land recovery disputes.
Police Chief's Firm Stance Against Private Interest Enforcement
The police boss delivered this significant statement during an October address, weeks before the widely publicized clash between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a Naval officer over a contested land parcel in Abuja. A video capturing the IGP's declaration has since gained substantial traction across various social media platforms.
"Let me reiterate without ambiguity. The Nigerian Police Force is not and will not become an enforcer for private interest," Egbetokun asserted during his speech.
Clear Guidelines on Police Involvement in Civil Matters
The Inspector General elaborated that police personnel have no legitimate reason to provide escort services for individuals or groups seeking to recover land properties. He specifically emphasized that officers should not participate in activities that disrupt legally established occupations or interfere in civil claims lacking clear criminal elements.
"Officers have no business to escort parties for land recovery, disrupting legal existing occupations or meddling in civil claims without a demonstrable criminal element," the police chief stated unequivocally.
Protecting Police Neutrality and Public Trust
Egbetokun highlighted the damaging consequences of such practices on the force's reputation and operational integrity. He warned that every instance of police involvement in private land disputes undermines the institution's neutrality and exposes it to public criticism and disrepute.
"Every such incident erodes the neutrality of the force and opens us up to disrepute," the IGP emphasized, underscoring his commitment to maintaining the police force's professional standards and public trust.
The timing of this directive proves particularly significant given the subsequent high-profile land dispute involving prominent government officials, demonstrating the ongoing relevance of the police chief's policy statement.
