IGP warns police officers against extortion, harassment on highways

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has declared that serious sanctions awaited police officers who engaged in extortion and harassment, particularly on interstate highways.

“Alleged incidences of extortion, intimidation, and harassment of commuters on highways are being looked into and the force is resolute in addressing these issues promptly and decisively.

“In response to the reports and series of complaints received on police platforms, the police leadership have directed all supervising officers to undertake stringent supervision of their subordinates in the field.

“The idea is primarily to curb and eradicate the unprofessional conduct of erring officers,” the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, quoted Egbetokun as saying in a statement on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

The IGP also directed the monitoring unit and other disciplinary units to intensify their efforts in identifying and apprehending officers engaged in acts of misconduct, saying personnel found guilty of extortion or harassment would face severe disciplinary measures to deter future occurrences.

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He said supervisory officers who failed to fulfil their duty of oversight would also face appropriate sanctions.

The police boss said it was imperative for supervising officers to take proactive measures to prevent any form of misconduct and to take immediate action to rectify any misconduct.

Egbetokun, who issued the warning following a series of complaints relating to unprofessional conduct of certain police personnel, recently addressed by the National Assembly, expressed displeasure at the misconduct of a few recalcitrant officers on highways, stressing that their conduct had repeatedly tarnished the force’s reputation.

He said comprehensive training and retraining programmes designed for police personnel focused on cultivating a culture of civility and professionalism to stimulate behavioural and attitudinal changes in them.

The Star