The Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 16, Adebola Hamzat, has issued a strong warning against any officers in the Nigeria Police Force found engaging in land grabbing, human rights abuses, or extortion, pledging that the Force will not protect anyone guilty of these actions.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Hamzat highlighted that the Force, under the leadership of Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun, has a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and other forms of misconduct.
“Corruption, extortion, and human rights abuses have been brought to my attention from discussions with stakeholders in the state,” he said. “Such actions tarnish the image of the Police, and I will address these issues with officers here.”
During a press briefing ahead of a lecture he presented to officers at the Rivers State Police Command, Hamzat emphasized the Force’s commitment to enforcing discipline.
“We’ve said this repeatedly, and actions are being taken. I encourage people to interact with us, to inform us of any areas where we may be falling short,” he urged.
Reassuring the public of accountability within the Force, Hamzat encouraged citizens to report any officers engaging in unprofessional conduct, stressing that their identities would be kept confidential.
“Land grabbing, human rights abuses, corruption, and extortion are completely unacceptable,” he stated. “We will not cover for any officer involved in such acts. That’s why I’ve made my personal number available. I am not an armchair AIG; feel free to reach out.”
