The Nigeria Police Force has launched a Special Enforcement Team to ensure compliance with the presidential directive banning police from providing VIP escort and guard duties. According to Punch, the operation began in Lagos on December 6, 2025, covering strategic locations including the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge and the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The Force PRO said early monitoring showed commendable compliance, with no arrests reported during the initial sweep. The police leadership reiterated that the policy is intended to redeploy personnel to core policing tasks for broader public safety. Source: Punch, December 6, 2025.
Tag: Nigerian Police Force
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Tinted Glass Permits: Why Nigerians Shouldn’t Pay Twice for One Car
Policeman checking vehicle particulars of a vehicle For years, motorists in Nigeria have endured a frustrating ritual: registering their vehicles with the state licensing offices, only to be stopped on the highway by police officers demanding an additional permit for factory-fitted tinted glass. The irony is painful — every new vehicle, including those with tinted or shielded glass, is already captured in the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), the centralized database managed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). So why are Nigerians being compelled to re-register with the police?
The answer lies not in necessity but in bureaucratic silos and institutional turf wars. By law, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) retains the authority to issue tinted glass permits under the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991. But in practice, FRSC already has the data. Every plate number, chassis number, and glass specification is captured the moment a car is registered. The logical solution would be for the police to access NVIS directly, extract a filtered report of all vehicles with factory-fitted shields, and enforce compliance seamlessly.
Instead, motorists are dragged through a second, often opaque process at police stations. This duplication breeds confusion, harassment, and informal revenue collection on the highways. Worse, it undermines public trust in law enforcement, turning a legitimate security concern into yet another avenue for extortion.
Yes, there are genuine worries. Aftermarket tinting is a security risk. Criminals exploit heavily darkened windows to evade detection. Police must have the authority to check and sanction illegal modifications. But this can be done through inspection points and digital cross-checks, not endless manual registrations.
Nigeria cannot claim to be pursuing digital transformation while its agencies cling to outdated silos. A simple reform could save time, money, and lives:
• Mandate FRSC to auto-flag tinted vehicles at registration.
• Provide NPF secure access to NVIS.
• Automate permit issuance electronically, with a transparent fee schedule.This way, motorists deal with one system, not two. Police officers enforce compliance using real-time data, not roadside guesswork. And the state builds trust by showing that regulation is about safety, not rent-seeking.
The time has come to end this double compliance burden. Nigerians deserve a system where technology replaces intimidation, and where institutions collaborate rather than compete. In an era of insecurity, the Police need the public’s confidence more than ever. Simplifying tinted glass permits would be a small but powerful step in that direction.
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IGP Replaces SARS with SWAT, Directs Personnel of New Team to Report to Abuja for Debriefing and Medical Examination
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, Tuesday yielded more grounds to the yearnings of the #EndSARS protesters by officially replacing Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) with a new team called Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).
The new team is expected to fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS.
Prospective members of the new team, in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, have been ordered to report to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.
#EndSARS: House of Reps Commends Buhari, Directs IGP to Commence Police Reforms
The officers, formerly known as SARS personnel, are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.
It would be recalled that Adamu had over the weekend announced the dissolution of SARS unit after days of agitation across the country.
Despite this, protest continues in major South-west, South-south, South-east and North-central regions of the country.
The medical examination would be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a Unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties.
#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Identifies with Demonstrators, Meets Buhari Tomorrow
The unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from amongst psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, public relations practitioners, civil society and other human Rlrights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.
Adamu, in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the personnel are to commence training at the different police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week.
While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-east and the South-south would be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College in Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the Police Commands from the North and the South-west would be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende in Nasarawa State; and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun in Osun State, respectively.
While reaffirming his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the police reforms, IGP enjoined members of the public, particularly protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a police force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.
Idowu Sowunmi
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Aftermath of #EndSARS: Presidential Panel on Police Reforms Okays Five-point Demand of Protesters
A meeting with the leadership of Nigeria Police Force and other stakeholders had agreed to meet the demands of the #EndSARS protesters which included halting use of force against demonstrators and unconditional release of arrested Nigerians.
The meeting affirmed and described the five-point demands of the protesters and the #EndSARS movement as genuine concerns that should be urgently addressed by the Federal Government.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the stakeholders’ meeting on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), it was agreed thus:
“Following the public protests regarding various forms of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the consequent disbandment of the unit by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, there arose the need for stakeholder engagement to build trust and restore public confidence in law enforcement.
“The agitations also brought to the fore, the need to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
“The Forum was addressed by the Inspector General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.
“The Forum collectively: welcomed the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; reaffirmed the constitutional rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and protest; further affirmed the sanctity of life of every Nigerian and the role of the Police in protecting this right; affirmed that the five-point demands of the protesters and the #EndSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the government.”
Police Killings: IGP Adamu Bans FSARS, Other Tactical Squads from Patrols
Following directives by President Muhammadu Buhari on dissolution of SARS and immediate response to yearnings of Nigerians, Adamu Tuesday replaced the squad with a new team called Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and convened a stakeholders’ meeting.
The meeting, organised by the Office of the Inspector General of Police and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), was a multi-stakeholders’ forum attended by Ministry of Police Affairs, Police Service Commission, leaders and representatives of civil society organisations in Nigeria, activists from the entertainment industry and the #EndSARS movement and development partners.
According to the communiqué signed by the Inspector General of Police and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, Esq, the Forum noted that the dissolution of SARS presents an opportunity to embark on comprehensive reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigerian Police Force as a modern, responsive and citizens-centred law enforcement organisation.
“The Forum further notes that the proposed reforms should be anchored under the basis of the White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad which was jointly authored by the National Human Rights Commission, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police Force.
#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Identifies with Demonstrators, Meets Buhari Tomorrow
“The Forum affirms that reform proposals for the Nigerian Police Force will be based on Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and existing legislations such as the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2019, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2010 amongst others.
“Following the dissolution of SARS, the Forum calls for the following immediate steps to be taken in restoring public confidence and trust in the Police: an order by the Inspector General of Police to all State Commands to halt the use of force against protesters; unconditional release of arrested protesters and citizens; open communication and outreach to citizens to establish trust and confidence and a roadmap for the implementation of the White Paper of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the SARS.
“The Forum welcomed the proposal to set up an Independent Investigation Panel to look into the violations of human rights by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Nigerian Police. The Forum agrees to the setting up of this Independent Panel by the National Human Rights Commission within the next one week. An open call for Memoranda from members of the public whose rights have been violated by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Police will be released by the Commission within one week.
“The Forum recommends the psychological evaluation, training and retraining of disbanded SARS officials prior to re-deployment. The Forum resolves to set up the following Technical Sub-Committees to design an implementation roadmap and work plan for the implementation of the White Paper: Training, Capacity and Re-orientation; Logistics: Infrastructure, Communications and Technology; Arrest, Detention, and Investigations; Regulations, Oversight and Accountability and Financing and Partnerships.”
Buhari-led Government Approves 5for5 Demand of #EndSARS Protesters
The communiqué stated that sub-Committees would be supported by the National Human Rights Commission and other civil society organisations.
Those who attended the meeting include: Kole Shettima of MAC Arthur Foundation; Innocent Chukwuma of Ford Foundation; Jude Ilo of OSIWA; Segun Awosanya (segalinks) of #EndSARS Movement; Yemi Adamolekun of Enough is Enough; Clément Nwankwo of PLAC; Rafsanjani of CISLAC; Kemi Okonyedo of PWAN; YZ of CITAD; Folarin Falana Falz; Deji Adekunle of NIALS; Chris Ngwodo ( SSA to President Research & Policy); Fatima Waziri (Rule of Law Adviser); and Abdulrahman Yakubu of NHRC Secretariat.
Others are: Hilary Ogbonna of NHRC secretariat; Halilu Adamu of NHRC Secretariat; Ben Aguh of NHRC secretariat; Uju Agomuoh of PRAWA; and Onyinye Ndubuisi of UNDP.
Idowu Sowunmi
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#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Identifies with Demonstrators, Meets Buhari Tomorrow
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Monday showed class and identified with #EndSARS protesters.
Sanwo-Olu, who declared that he was addressing the demonstrators not just as a governor, but as a father, brother and son, explained that the safety of everyone involved in peaceful protests across Lagos was important.
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He added that he’s communicating with Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, and other relevant security agencies in order to ensure peace and tranquility in the state.
Sanwo-Olu noted that as a servant of the entire people of Lagos, he would be meeting President Muhammadu Buhari tomorrowvl (October 13) in Abuja.
Buhari-led Government Approves 5for5 Demand of #EndSARS Protesters
While identifying with the protesters, the governor said the #EndSARS campaign touched on the essence of democratic freedom, adding that citizens must never be denied the right to protest and their voices heard.
According to him, “I was at the venue of one of the #EndSARS protests today. The safety of everyone involved in peaceful protests across Lagos is important and communicating with the Commissioner of Police, this is what we want to guarantee on all sides.
“Tomorrow, I will be meeting with HE President Muhammed Buhari in Abuja.
“As a servant of the people, my job is to listen and do everything within my power to act while managing the nature of the problems our people are protesting against. I am proud of our youth and the courage they are displaying in articulating their grievances.
“I identify wholeheartedly with the #EndSARS campaign as it touches the essence of democratic freedom.
“Citizens must never be denied the right to protest and your voices have been heard.
“A clear pronouncement has been made and Mr. President has addressed the nation. All SARS officers involved in the killing of innocent people and engaging in the abuse of human rights will be brought to justice.
“My stand on #EndSARS is unmistakable and I assure you that I identify with this protest because your concerns are legitimate. The protest is in good faith but we have to be peaceful and decorous in expressing ourselves.
“I have received the news of casualties at the Surulere protest as well as other developments we are monitoring. We mourn with the families of those who have lost their loved ones.
“Please do not allow your protest be hijacked and used by people with a pre-existing vendetta.
“We must prevent the escalation of issues and I am meeting with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and other security leaders in a few minutes to ensure that live rounds that could lead to further casualties are not used at all as the police looks to maintain peace during the protests.
#EndSARS: House of Reps Commends Buhari, Directs IGP to Commence Police Reforms
“I want to appeal to the protesters to take a break from protesting tomorrow. Tempers are at a highest on all sides at this time and while we work to prevent escalation, the safety of our residents is paramount.
“I speak not just as a governor, but as a father, brother and son.”
Idowu Sowunmi
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Viral Video of an Officer in Uniform Vaping “Shisha” : Police Commence Investigations
Nigeria Police Force has commenced investigations into the viral video showing a man seemingly wearing a Nigeria Police “uniform” vaping Shisha.
The viral video showing a man seemingly wearing a Nigerian Police Uniform vaping “Shisa”
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The police, in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the investigation would “amongst other things seek to forensically establish the authenticity of the video, the true identity of the man in the uniform – whether he is in fact a policeman, an impostor or an actor in a movie scene.”
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The statement added: “However, while not being prejudicial to the ongoing investigations, it is necessary to state that the character exhibited by the man in the uniform is not a true reflection of who we are as a regimented law enforcement agency – our trainings, discipline, norms and tradition.”
Captured image from a viral video showing a man seemingly wearing a Nigerian Police Uniform vaping “Shisa” Members of the public with useful information that could assist police investigations are enjoined to provide same via: pressforabuja@police.gov.ng, or direct mesaage on Nigeria Police Force’s social media platforms.
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Police Arrest All Four Persons Implicated for Dehumanising a Female Citizen
Nigeria Police Force Friday said it has arrested the remaining two persons involved in the dehumanising treatment of a female citizen in a viral video making the rounds since Wednesday (July 22), bringing the total number of persons now in police custody to four.
“The two additional persons arrested are CPL Aiyedun Akeem and one Ope Owoeye – the civilian accomplice popularly known as ‘Wyclef.’
“Recall that ASP Tijani Olatunji and Inspr Gboyega were earlier arrested for their involvement in the case.
Read ALSO… Viral Video: Police detains 3 officers, a civilian for ‘Dehumanising’ woman
“Investigation is still ongoing after which the Force internal disciplinary procedures will commence for the officers,” said a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba.
Meanwhile, Mba explained that Police Detectives from the State CID, Panti, Yaba in Lagos have established contact with the victim with assurances that justice would not only be done but would be seen to have been manifestly done.
READ ALSO.. Again, Dogara returns to APC, meets Buhari in Abuja
Idowu Sowunmi
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Viral Video: Police detains 3 officers, a civilian for ‘Dehumanising’ woman
Following a viral video of harassment and dehumanization of a lady by some men on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, police authority has identified three officers and a civilian accomplice who participated in the unprofessional act.
This was disclosed in a statement Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Frank Mba, noting that the suspects are currently being detained at the Lagos State CID detention facility, Panti, Yaba.
“Two suspects, ASP Tijani Olatunji and Inspector Gboyega Oyeniyi have been arrested for their role in the discreditable conduct and incivility to a member of the public,” the statement read.
READ ALSO: Photos: Flying Officer Tolu Arotile buried with full military honours
“Preliminary investigations show that the policemen who are attached to Area ‘A’ Command, Lion Building, Lagos, were on legitimate investigation activities to Ibadan, Oyo State where the incident took place.
“Effort is being intensified to arrest the two other accomplices. Meanwhile, appropriate disciplinary procedures will be initiated as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement added.
In the video, one could hear the officer interrogating the young lady named Towobola, following a raid at the apartment of an alleged kidnapper.
This is harassment by the Ibadan arm of the Nigerian Police. Even if she’s guilty what sort of questions and harassment is this? @kikimordi @ozzyetomi @StandtoEndRape pic.twitter.com/aeB9kvfMBL
— Olayinka Olaonipekun (@OlayinkaOlaoni1) July 22, 2020
According to the officer who spoke in Yoruba, the young lady was to answer for how she got to know the kidnapper who she claimed to have met only recently.
After whisking the kidnap suspect away, the officers placed Towobola in handcuff and went on to harass her verbally for ‘sleeping with a criminal’.
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The interrogation degenerated into very lewd seeming dialogues, with questions ranging from if the suspect is a virgin to how many people she had slept with.
The video went viral after it surfaced online with many calling for the dismissal of the officers, arguing that their conducts were unprofessional.
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Photos: IGP decorates newly promoted senior officers in Abuja
Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Monday decorated ten newly promoted senior police officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The decoration ceremony was coming on the heels of the recent promotion of 6,601 personnel of the Nigeria Police Force including one Deputy Inspector General, for Assistant Inspector Generals, three Commissioners of Police, three Deputy Commissioners of Police, eight Chief Superintendents Police, 607 Superintendents of Police, 206 Deputy Superintendents of Police and 5,769 Assistant Superintendents of Police.
The ceremony was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, who congratulated the newly promoted officers and charged them to see the promotion as a call for improved services to the nation.
He assured of the Federal Government’s commitment to the ongoing reforms of the Nigeria Police Force by the Inspector General of Police.
On his part, Adamu noted that since his assumption of office in January 2019, a total of 41,863 officers and men of the Force across different ranks have been promoted to their next ranks.
He added that the promotion exercises – a strategic management approach directed at motivating the workforce in addressing current and emerging internal security threats – have been guided by the principles of seniority and merit and reflective of records of discipline and invaluable experience.
Adamu, while congratulating the officers for their well-deserved elevation, charged them to deploy their intellect and demonstrate sound professional judgement in all their decisions at all times.
The officers decorated include: DIG Adeleye Olusola Oyebade, who until his promotion to the enviable rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police, was a directing staff at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS).
He has been deployed as the DIG in charge of the Department of Research and Planning. Also, in line with geo-political balancing considerations, he doubles as the DIG in-charge of the South-west geo-political zone of the country, a void created by the recent retirement of DIG Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo.
Others decorated are: AIG Amba A.A Asuquo; AIG Nkereuwem A. Akpan; AIG Olafimihan Adeniran Adeoye; AIG Aishatu Abubakar, PhD; CP Jonathan Towuru; CP Sylverster A. Alabi; CP Sikiru Kayode Akande; DCP Johnson Oluwole Adenola; and DCP Grema Jibir Isa.
Idowu Sowunmi
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Police Brutality: Ruggedman asks Nigerians to take advocacy beyond social media
By Tobiloba Kolawole.
A Nigerian music artiste, Ugochukwu Stephens popularly known as Ruggedman has charged Nigerians, who through social media actively advocated justice for the slain Kolade Johnson, to attend the hearing of the case against the killer cop, which comes up on Monday.
In a post he uploaded on social media, Ruggedman admonished interested persons to take the advocacy against extra judicial killings by officers of the Nigerian police force outside social media.
The rap star who is one of the few celebrities that has lend their voices to protest the killings of Nigerians, especially youths by police wrote on his Instagram handle @ruggedybaba:
“Forget social media brouhaha, the man that killed Kolade Johnson will be in court tomorrow at Ebute Metta. Are you all mouth and no action? All of you that have hashtagged #justiceforkolade I hope you will be in the court tomorrow morning.”
He also noted that “revolution won’t start with you behind your keypad.”
The hearing will hold inside Court 14 at Ebute Meta Magistrate court at 9am.
The alleged killer, former Inspector of police, Olalekan Ogunyemi was found guilty in April at an orderly room trial conducted by the Nigerian Police Force after an outcry against the murder of Kolade Johnson in Lagos.
At the end of the trial, the adjudicating officer, CSP Indyar Apev ruled that the accused officer, Olalekan Ogunyemi was found guilty of shooting and killing Kolade Johnson.
Apev described Ogunyemi’s act as a discreditable conduct that is prejudicial to discipline in the Nigeria police Force.
He said Ogunyemi is guilty of “unlawful and unnecessary exercise of authority by using unnecessary violence, by using AK 47 rifle on the deceased in total neglect to the provisions of Force Order 237 on the use of Firearms.”
Apev described Ogunyemi’s act as a discreditable conduct that is prejudicial to discipline in the Nigeria police Force.
He said Ogunyemi is guilty of “unlawful and unnecessary exercise of authority by using unnecessary violence, by using AK 47 rifle on the deceased in total neglect to the provisions of Force Order 237 on the use of Firearms.”