The Anambra State Police Command has warned residents against resisting arrest, even in situations where they believe the arrest may be unjustified, stressing that citizens should instead pursue lawful channels to challenge police actions.
The warning was issued by the spokesperson of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, during a public sensitisation message aimed at reducing confrontations between residents and law enforcement officers in the state.
According to the police command, resistance during arrest operations often escalates situations unnecessarily and could expose both officers and civilians to danger. The command stated that complaints concerning unlawful arrests, misconduct, or abuse of power should be reported through established legal and administrative procedures rather than physical confrontation.
Ikenga explained that the police recognise citizens’ constitutional rights but insisted that resisting officers while they are carrying out official duties could amount to obstruction of law enforcement activities under Nigerian law.
The command also advised residents to remain calm during police operations and seek legal redress afterwards if they believe their rights have been violated.
The latest advisory comes amid increasing public debates in Nigeria over police conduct, citizens’ rights, and accountability during arrests and security operations. Human rights organisations and legal practitioners have repeatedly urged both law enforcement agencies and citizens to avoid violence and follow constitutional procedures during encounters with security personnel.
In recent years, tensions between residents and security agencies in parts of Nigeria have occasionally resulted in clashes, mob actions, and allegations of brutality, particularly during enforcement operations and criminal investigations.
The Anambra State Police Command said it remains committed to professional policing and urged residents to cooperate with officers while using available complaint mechanisms to address grievances.
The command further encouraged members of the public to report any case of misconduct through police complaint channels and relevant oversight authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands.
Stone Reporters note that the issue of lawful arrest procedures and citizens’ rights remains a sensitive subject in Nigeria following years of public concern over police abuse, illegal detention, and excessive use of force by some security personnel. Successive police authorities have introduced reforms and public sensitisation campaigns aimed at improving trust between citizens and law enforcement agencies.
As of Sunday evening, the Anambra State Police Command had not linked the warning to any specific incident but maintained that the advisory formed part of ongoing public awareness efforts on security and law enforcement procedures.
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