Nigeria Police Orders Nationwide Training on Suspects’ Rights Amid Torture Concerns
The Nigeria Police Force has ordered an immediate nationwide training of all personnel on the constitutional rights of suspects and the professional handling of criminal complaints.
An internal police directive confirming this order was obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday.
The training is part of an urgent effort to address growing public outrage over rising cases of custodial torture and mysterious deaths of detainees in police custody across the country.
The classified directive, marked CB:4001/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.23/577 DTO:271130/05/2025, was issued by the Department of Operations (DOPS), Force Headquarters Abuja. It was sent to all MOPOL training and operational bases nationwide.
The message instructs all Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police to ensure that their officers are thoroughly trained on respecting suspects’ constitutional rights during investigations and arrests.
This order follows increasing reports of human rights abuses and “death in custody” incidents, particularly recent cases in Rano-Kano, Kwara, and Enugu, which have triggered public anger and threatened internal peace.
The directive reads in part: “Following message received from Nigpol DOPS Abuja x begins x CB:4001/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.23/577 DTO:271130/05/2025 x order and directives x in view of the recent trends x commitment to professionalism x respect of human rights x Nigpol DOPS FHQ Abuja x directs all AIGZone/Command Compols x to lecture their officers and men yours/sectional heads/dpos x reference on Rano-Kano incident x public disturbance of peace x Kwara x Enugu x death in custody x to accord all suspects their right.”
It further states that suspects arrested for minor offenses should be released on bail without the usual harsh conditions often imposed at police stations.
“Henceforth suspects on minor offences to be released on bail x any report of death in custody x as a result of detention and man-handling x will be viewed seriously and sanctioned x,” the message adds.
The directive also warns that failure to comply will attract severe disciplinary sanctions.
“Nigpol DOPS Abuja further warns that x all sectional heads/dpos x must be responsive enough to enforce orders failure to comply with this order will attract severe disciplinary sanction x you are to acknowledge receipt by return signal x this is for strict compliance please x ends x above for your information and compliance please.”
This directive comes just days after the violent death of Baba Ali, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Rano Divisional Headquarters in Kano State. The DPO was killed by an angry mob following allegations that he tortured a suspect to death.
The incident escalated when enraged residents stormed the police station, set it ablaze, and violently attacked the DPO, who later died in the hospital from his injuries. Several police vehicles were also damaged during the unrest.
Further investigations revealed that Baba Ali had a history of violent misconduct. In 2020, he was found guilty of torturing two individuals to death, with a third barely surviving.
In connection with the DPO’s murder, the police have reportedly arrested no fewer than 41 suspects.
SaharaReporters
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