Don’t detain suspects while carrying out your investigation- Arase warns policemen

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase yesterday warned operatives of the Edo State‎ Police Command to avoid detaining suspects indefinitely while still conducting their investigation on a case. Arase who gave the warning while addressing officers and men of the Command during an official visit to the state, also frowned at operatives of the Force interfering in civil offences relating to land matters and the criminalisation of such matters.


According to him, the police must abide by the Nigerian constitution

“I don’t expect most of you to bring people into our facility and detain‎ them indefinitely while you are shopping for evidence. You must be able to have evidence before you bring them into our facility. You cannot abridge the fundamental rights of Nigerians; you cannot treat them as if they are people who have been conquered. You must respect these rights,” he said.

According to PM News, the IGP said police officers must not also get involved in land matters as only civil courts have the constitutional power to allocate land and get fully involved where there are disputes.