President Muhammadu Buhari has told officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) not to intimidate young persons while trying to curb internet fraud called “Yahoo Yahoo” in local parlance, Concise News reports.
Buhari noted that men and officers of the NPF are under close watch by Nigerians and as such, they should exhibit the best attitude at all times.
The Nigerian leader said this on Monday in Lagos State in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers.
He was represented at the event by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who added that the Police perform one of the most essential duties in the country.
“This is why the police cannot escape public scrutiny and sometimes criticism; Nigerian people old and young want our Police force to be better and to do better; they want to be even prouder of your service than ever before,” he said.
“This is why in some of our urban areas we want to see more compliance with the rule of law and in dealing with Nigerians.
“Recently many civil society groups have complained about the arrest of young men and women just because they look successful and are carrying laptops.”
He admitted: “Yes we must apprehend yahoo criminals but we cannot harass young men and women on the streets and in taxis most of whom are merely going about their legitimate businesses.
“There are also cases of extrajudicial killings and injuries; misuse of weapons and excessive use of force by some members of the force.
“This sort of conduct by a few bad police officers must stop, and it is the duty of you senior and strategic leaders of the Police force to ensure that impunity of any kind is discouraged and punished where it is found.”
