A video of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun condemning the use of police officers to escort parties in private land recovery disputes has recently circulated widely on social media.
The statement, made in October, came weeks before the widely reported clash between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a Naval officer over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
IGP Egbetokun emphasized the importance of maintaining the neutrality of the police force:
“Let me reiterate without ambiguity. The Nigerian Police Force is not and will not become an enforcer for private interest. Officers have no business to escort parties for land recovery, disrupting legal existing occupations or meddling in civil claims without a demonstrable criminal element. Every such incident erodes the neutrality of the force and opens us up to disrepute.”
The video serves as a reminder that the police should strictly focus on criminal matters and avoid involvement in civil disputes, underscoring the force’s commitment to impartiality and integrity.