Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has called on Nigerians to resist any demand for “mobilisation fees” by police officers before carrying out their duties, describing the practice as illegal and unknown to the Nigeria Police Force.
The police chief, represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Legal Services, Ohiozoba Ehiede, made the appeal during the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu.
Egbetokun stressed that it is the statutory responsibility of the police to handle complaints that could threaten peace and order and to work towards their speedy resolution without financial inducement.
“I want to state that this issue of mobilisation is unknown to the Nigeria Police. It is not in our statutory books. If you go to the police station, go online, type CRU Nigeria Police and lay your complaints there, it will be addressed adequately,” he said.
The IGP further revealed that at least 250 new lawyers who will soon be called to the Bar would be absorbed into the police workforce to strengthen the Force’s Legal Directorate and enhance service delivery.
On complaints raised against the Tiger Base Unit in Owerri, Imo State, Egbetokun assured that investigations would be carried out into the alleged misconduct of its operatives.
He also emphasised that reforms under the Police Act were being fully implemented, with renewed focus on human rights education in training institutions. “All we ask is a little time for Nigerians to know that the police have taken a paradigm shift,” he added.
At the conference, senior lawyers raised concerns about the role of the legal profession in shaping society. Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN) criticised the NBA for turning its annual conference into a “ritual,” lamenting that lawyers were “now politicking more than professional politicians.”
Similarly, Professor Joy Ezeilo (SAN) noted that discussions on rights and security must take into account women, gender, and children, stressing the need for inclusive approaches by security agencies.
