The Ebonyi State Police Command reiterated the Inspector‑General of Police’s directives, urging officers to maintain professionalism, discipline, accountability and respect for citizens’ fundamental rights. The charge was delivered by Commissioner of Police CP Hope Urunwa‑Okafor during a weekend strategic meeting with heads of departments, area commanders, divisional police officers and other senior staff. The session followed the Inspector‑General’s briefing of the Nigeria Police Force’s Strategic Management Team.
Police Public Relations Officer SP Joshua Ukandu explained that the meeting focused on communicating the IGP’s operational directives and reinforcing ethical policing across the command. “We are committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct,” Ukandu said. “The Inspector‑General’s message is clear: professionalism and respect for human rights are non‑negotiable.”
Commissioner Urunwa‑Okafor warned officers against all forms of professional misconduct. She highlighted incivility towards the public, extortion, harassment, abuse of office and other unethical practices as unacceptable. “Such behaviour will not be tolerated,” she said. She also directed senior officers to strengthen supervision of their subordinates, stressing that supervisory officers would be held accountable for any lapses that allow misconduct to occur.
With political activity expected to intensify ahead of the forthcoming Elections, the Commissioner ordered area commanders and divisional officers to enhance intelligence gathering and sustain intelligence‑led operations against criminal hideouts. “We must prevent crime and safeguard public safety,” she said. The directive also cautioned officers against conducting unlawful searches of citizens’ mobile phones and other personal electronic devices without a valid search warrant, describing the practice as a violation of constitutional rights.
Urunwa‑Okafor urged officers to conduct themselves in ways that protect the image of the Nigeria Police Force. She called for integrity, professionalism, respect for human rights and courteous service in all dealings with the public. “Our conduct reflects on the entire force,” she added. “We must be a model of lawful and ethical policing.”
The meeting underscored the command’s commitment to the IGP’s vision of a disciplined, accountable police force that respects the rights of all citizens. By reinforcing supervisory oversight, tightening operational discipline and emphasizing lawful intelligence work, Ebonyi State Police aims to maintain public confidence and ensure safety during a period of heightened political activity. The directives are expected to shape policing practices across the state, reinforcing the broader national agenda of professional, rights‑respecting law enforcement.
