The Nigeria Police Force has warned that officers who demand money for bail will face disciplinary action, while members of the public who offer money for bail risk arrest and prosecution.

The Head of the Complaints Response Unit at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Awu Fidelis, gave the warning during a sensitisation rally in Lagos on Friday. The rally was organised by the CRU in partnership with the Eagle Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiative.

Fidelis, a superintendent of police, said the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had repeatedly maintained that bail was free and that no money should be demanded or paid for the release of arrested persons. He urged residents to report officers who violate the directive, adding that both parties involved in an illegal bail transaction could face arrest and prosecution.

He described the partnership between the police and ECAPI as a step towards rebuilding public trust, strengthening accountability and improving relations between the police and the public. Fidelis added that complaints against police personnel were investigated and appropriate disciplinary measures taken against officers found culpable.

He said the growing number of misconduct reports received through the CRU’s offices and communication channels indicated increasing public confidence in the complaint-handling process. Members of the public can report complaints through 08057000001 and 08057000002 for calls, and 08057000003 for WhatsApp messages, as well as the unit’s social media platforms.

Also speaking, the Officer-in-Charge of the CRU in Lagos State, Deputy Superintendent of Police Idris Mogaji, said the unit had recorded successes in addressing complaints through prompt investigations and disciplinary action. He added that complainants were kept informed about the progress and outcomes of investigations, including sanctions against officers found culpable.
Mogaji also said the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, had held meetings with officers to address concerns, including the use of unregistered vehicles, particularly buses, by police personnel. He said the command had taken steps to enforce compliance and had acted on a recent incident involving some officers.

He urged residents to report unprofessional conduct through the telephone numbers 09111111151 and 09111111150, the command’s social media platforms or written petitions to the appropriate authorities.