Vanguard reports that Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has instructed security personnel operating in the state not to carry out arrests at night.
The governor said suspects should ordinarily be invited or apprehended in daylight while officers observe due process.
He presented the directive as a measure aimed at preventing harassment, intimidation and arbitrary incursions into citizens’ homes.
The Federal Ministry of Information quoted Ododo saying, “No arrest should be made in the night,” while TVC reported that he directed agencies to stop “invading homes and picking up residents” after dark.
Echotitbits take: The directive raises an important implementation question because policing and criminal procedure involve federal agencies and statutory powers. Kogi authorities will need to clarify any exceptions for emergencies, hot pursuit and situations involving immediate threats.
Source: People Gazette Nigeria – https://gazettengr.com/gov-ododo-bans-night-arrests-warns-security-agencies-against-unlawful-detention/, September 8, 2026.
Photo Credit: Kogi State Government
