Nigerians should not provoke us; respect officers as civilians do abroad: Police

“It is very sad to observe the lack of appreciation and recognition often shown to members of the Nigeria Police Force, despite the immense risks we take,” said the police.

Olumayowa Samuel • May 23, 2025

Officers brutalising civilians

The police have warned Nigerians not to provoke officers on duty, advising civilians to accord them respect amid widespread complaints of rights violations against the force.

Specifically, the FCT command spokeswoman, Josephine Adeh, slammed Nigerians in a statement on Thursday for not appreciating police officers.

“Globally, while law enforcement agencies also face scrutiny, there is a clear structure for accountability and a strong culture of respect for officers performing their lawful duties,” the police officer stated. That balance is essential.”

“We ask for the same here: do not provoke officers while they are discharging their responsibilities,” Ms Adeh demanded.

The FCT spokeswoman added, “It is very sad to observe the lack of appreciation and recognition often shown to members of the Nigeria Police Force, despite the immense risks we take daily in the line of duty.

“More often than not, public engagements —especially on social media—focus mainly on criticism, with little to no acknowledgement of the countless positive experiences or commendable acts carried out by officers across the country.”

The officer admitted that the police have challenges dealing with bad eggs in the force.

“Let me be clear: we acknowledge that, like in every institution, there are individuals who fall short of expected standards. However, it is unfair and unhelpful to judge the entire police force based on the misconduct of a few.

“The dedication, courage, and sacrifices of the many committed officers deserve to be seen and respected,” Ms Adeh explained.

The FCT command spokeswoman urged Nigerians to continue reporting misconduct or unprofessional behaviour by officers.

“The Nigeria Police Force has a dedicated Complaints Response Unit, and all grievances can be directed to 08107314192. Be assured that such reports will be handled with the seriousness they deserve.

“Let us build a more respectful and constructive relationship between the police and the public. Accountability is vital—but so is fairness,” the statement said.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.