Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Inspector‑General of Police, Tunji Disu, has issued a nationwide directive banning Point‑of‑Sale (POS) operators from conducting business within a 200‑metre radius of all police stations, divisional headquarters, and other police formations across Nigeria. The order, contained in an internal police wireless message circulated to commands nationwide, takes immediate effect. Senior officers have been warned that any violation within their jurisdiction could attract disciplinary consequences.
The decision, according to police sources, follows concerns over what authorities described as the “alarming proliferation” of POS operators around police facilities. The police alleged that some of these outlets had become linked to bribery, corruption, and illegal financial transactions occurring within or near police premises. The internal communication stated that the trend was adversely affecting ongoing reform efforts aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and public trust in the Force. The police also noted that they had observed with “utmost dismay” the increasing presence of POS operators near formations, alongside allegations that some were being used as channels for corrupt dealings.
Security analysts have noted that the ban appears targeted at addressing a specific form of graft in which some police officers allegedly force suspects, victims, or civilians to make instant cash transfers or withdrawals through nearby POS agents during encounters at police facilities. By eliminating the immediate availability of POS services, the police hope to disrupt what they see as a convenient avenue for extortion. The proximity of POS machines to police stations had, in some documented cases, enabled officers to demand on‑the‑spot payments for bail, release of impounded vehicles, or the dropping of charges, often without leaving a paper trail.
The new directive explicitly states that no POS operator shall be allowed to set up or operate within 200 metres of any police station, divisional headquarters, or police formation nationwide. The order further warns that Assistant Inspectors‑General of Police, Commissioners of Police, and heads of formations would be held “vicariously liable” for any breach recorded in their areas of responsibility. The strict liability clause is intended to force top commanders to actively enforce the ban and dismantle any collusive arrangements between their subordinates and POS operators.
The ban has drawn mixed reactions. Anti‑corruption activists and civil society groups have largely welcomed the move, describing it as a creative and commonsense measure to curb petty bribery. “POS machines at police stations have long been a visible tool for extortion. This directive, if properly enforced, could help break a corrupt cycle that ordinary Nigerians have endured for years,” said an Abuja‑based human rights lawyer. However, some business advocacy groups have expressed concern that the ban could unfairly affect legitimate POS operators who depend on foot traffic from police stations for their livelihoods, noting that the order does not distinguish between operators who are complicit in corruption and those who simply serve the community.
The Nigeria Police Force has in recent years launched several high‑profile anti‑corruption campaigns, including the establishment of a complaint response unit and the prosecution of officers caught extorting citizens. The POS ban is the latest in a series of administrative measures aimed at cleaning up the force’s image. However, sceptics note that without robust enforcement and independent oversight, previous directives have often been ignored or circumvented. The effectiveness of the 200‑metre ban will depend heavily on whether commanders are willing to police their own men and whether the police high command follows through on its threat of vicarious liability.
The IGP’s office has not yet released a public statement on the directive beyond the internal wireless message. However, police spokespersons in several state commands have confirmed that they have received the order and have begun notifying local POS operators to relocate. Enforcement is expected to begin immediately, with spot checks and monitoring teams to ensure compliance. The order does not specify penalties for POS operators who violate the ban, but they risk having their machines seized and potentially facing prosecution for aiding corruption.
As the ban takes effect across the country, its real test will be whether it leads to a measurable reduction in allegations of extortion at police stations, or whether it merely pushes corrupt transactions a few metres further away. For millions of Nigerians who have negotiated with police officers over bail, fines, or the release of seized vehicles, the sight of a POS machine at the station has often been the first step in a corrupt bargain. The IGP has now drawn a line in the concrete: two hundred metres from the station door, and no closer.
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