Police officers, Nigerians who pay bail money risk prosecution, Disu warns
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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned that police officers who demand or collect money for bail, as well as individuals who offer such payments, risk arrest and prosecution.
Disu reiterated the position while urging Nigerians to cooperate with the police and support efforts to rebuild public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
The warning was delivered by the Head of the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU), Superintendent of Police Fidelis Awu, during a road walk organised by the Eagle Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiative (ECAPI) in collaboration with the CRU.
The campaign, themed “Say No to Impunity, Say No to Crime, Police Is Your Friend,” focused on discouraging criminal activities, addressing police misconduct and improving relations between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.
Speaking at the event, Awu said restoring public trust remained a priority for the police, particularly in tackling complaints about misconduct and the unlawful demand for money from arrested persons.
He stressed that bail is free and that neither suspects nor their relatives should be asked to pay money to secure release from police custody.
According to him, the IGP had made it clear that anyone involved in an unlawful bail payment could be held accountable, whether the person demanded or received the money or offered it.
Awu also said the police had been investigating complaints from members of the public and imposing disciplinary measures on officers found guilty of misconduct.
He added that these efforts were aimed at strengthening accountability and called for closer partnerships with organisations working to promote public safety.
The ECAPI National Coordinator, Ambassador Samuel Eniola, said the awareness campaign was designed to educate Nigerians about their rights, discourage police brutality and encourage citizens to report abuses.
Eniola warned that officers who acted contrary to the IGP’s directives would be held responsible for their actions.
He disclosed that the initiative planned to extend its activities beyond major gatherings to communities across the country.
According to him, letters had already been sent to local government areas as part of preparations to take the campaign to markets, motor parks, schools and other public spaces.
He added that sensitisation was also necessary within the police force, noting that some officers still needed a clearer understanding of the CRU’s role and responsibilities.
Representing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Okon Placid welcomed the partnership, describing cooperation between the police and community organisations as vital to effective intelligence sharing and reducing tensions.
Placid assured the organisers of the command’s support, emphasising the need for stronger collaboration to improve security and relations with residents.
Lagos CRU Reports Action Against Erring Officers
Meanwhile, the Officer in Charge of the Lagos Police Command’s Complaint Response Unit, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mogaji Idriss, said the unit had recorded successes in handling complaints against police officers.
He said the CRU responded to complaints and informed the public about disciplinary action taken against personnel found to have breached professional standards.
Idriss also addressed concerns surrounding police operations in Ikorodu, revealing that the Commissioner of Police had convened an emergency meeting over developments in the area.
He said officers were warned against using unregistered vehicles, particularly minibuses, during operations, expressing hope that the directive would improve policing in the area.
The CRU officer further disclosed that decisive action had been taken over a recent incident in Ikorodu and that the officers involved would face disciplinary consequences.
The campaign forms part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability within the Nigeria Police Force and encourage Nigerians to report misconduct.
With the IGP’s warning extending to both those who demand or receive unlawful bail payments and those who offer them, the police leadership says all parties involved risk facing the consequences.
