IGP Bans Police Officers in Mufti from Carrying Rifles, Warns Against Rights Violations

Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun 

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has banned police officers dressed in civilian attire (mufti) from carrying assault rifles, emphasizing the need for professionalism and respect for human rights.

This directive was issued during a virtual meeting with strategic police managers on Monday and was made public through a statement by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Facebook.

No Rifles for Officers in Mufti

“No operative should be seen carrying assault arms (rifles) while dressed in civilian attire (mufti),” the IGP warned.

He also cautioned officers against human rights violations, noting that the directive follows numerous complaints received through police complaint channels.

“The Inspector-General of Police issued a stern warning to all officers regarding serious breaches of human rights, emphasising the duty of the Force to uphold these rights,” Adejobi stated.

The IGP further warned tactical squads against the misuse of power and improper dressing, stressing that all officers must operate in approved uniforms and follow standard operating procedures.

Addressing Police Brutality and the #EndSARS Legacy

The Nigerian police have long faced accusations of brutality and rights violations, particularly by officers attached to the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

SARS officers, often dressed in mufti and armed with rifles, were notorious for human rights abuses. Their excesses sparked the #EndSARS protests in 2020, which turned violent in some parts of the country and remain a dark chapter in Nigeria’s law enforcement history.

The IGP’s new directive is seen as part of ongoing efforts to reform police operations and restore public trust.

Crackdown on Indiscriminate Case Transfers

In addition to addressing police misconduct, the IGP prohibited the indiscriminate transfer of cases without approval, warning that such actions burden complainants and delay justice.

“This conduct is highly prohibited and would no longer be tolerated, as it exposes parties to unnecessary burdens and delayed justice,” Adejobi quoted the IGP as saying.

Nigeria Police Force’s Struggle for a Positive Image

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) continues to battle a poor public image, worsened by past incidents of killings, arbitrary arrests, and detention of protesters.

Following the #EndBadGovernance protests in August, where police allegedly killed and detained demonstrators, the force set up an investigative committee. However, the findings of independent media organizations and rights groups such as Amnesty International (AI) contradicted the police’s official reports.

A PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed that police officers and local security forces killed at least five protesters in Niger State. Similarly, Amnesty International reported that 24 people were killed and over 1,000 detained after police used excessive force to disperse demonstrators.

Despite the documented cases of police misconduct, IGP Egbetokun defended the force, praising officers for their professionalism.

With these new directives, Nigerians will be watching to see whether the police leadership is serious about enforcing reforms or if the cycle of impunity will continue.