Police Warn Lagos Residents Against Paying for Bail, Threaten Prosecution
The Nigeria Police Force Complaint Response Unit (NPF-CRU) has warned Lagos residents against paying money for police bail, saying officers who demand such payments and individuals who offer them risk arrest and prosecution.
The Head of the CRU at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Awu Fidelis, issued the warning on Friday during a public sensitisation rally organised by the police unit in collaboration with the Eagle Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiative (ECAPI).
Fidelis said the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had consistently maintained that police bail was free and that officers had no authority to demand money before releasing suspects on bail.
He urged residents to report any police personnel involved in such practices, adding that both those demanding illegal payments and those making them could face legal consequences.
According to him, the partnership with ECAPI was designed to strengthen police accountability, restore public confidence and improve relations between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.
Fidelis explained that the CRU investigated complaints against police personnel and recommended or imposed appropriate disciplinary measures where misconduct was established.
He noted that the growing number of complaints received through the unit’s offices and communication channels suggested that more members of the public were becoming confident in the process.
Residents can report police misconduct to the CRU through its telephone lines, 08057000001 and 08057000002. WhatsApp complaints can be sent to 08057000003, while reports can also be submitted through the unit’s social media platforms.
Speaking at the event, the Officer-in-Charge of the CRU in Lagos State, DSP Idris Mogaji, said the unit had made progress in addressing allegations of police misconduct through investigations and disciplinary action against officers found culpable.
He said complainants were kept informed about the progress of their cases and the outcomes of investigations, including sanctions imposed on erring personnel.
Mogaji also disclosed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, had met with officers to address concerns about unprofessional conduct, including the use of unregistered vehicles, particularly buses.
He said the command had taken steps to enforce the directive and had responded to a recent incident involving some police officers.
Mogaji encouraged residents to report misconduct through 09111111151 and 09111111150, the command’s social media platforms or written petitions addressed to the commissioner of police.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professionalism, transparency and accountability in policing.
The founder of ECAPI, Ambassador Samuel Eniola, said the organisation planned to expand its public awareness campaign to communities, markets, motor parks and police formations across Lagos State.
Eniola explained that the initiative would educate residents, especially young people, about the functions of the Complaint Response Unit and the procedures for reporting misconduct by police officers.
He said the campaign would reach local government areas, communities, police stations, barracks, area commands, transport unions and other organised groups.
The outreach would also involve police personnel to improve their understanding of the CRU’s responsibilities in receiving, investigating and addressing complaints against officers.
Eniola disclosed that ECAPI had started engaging local government authorities and received encouraging responses, adding that the campaign would continue across the state.
He identified young people as a major focus of the initiative, stressing that regular community engagement was necessary to educate them about criminal behaviour, its consequences and responsible conduct.
According to him, direct engagement would help reach young people who might have limited access to information through television, radio and newspapers.
He added that ECAPI’s activities extended beyond campaigning against police brutality to include crime prevention, responsible behaviour and cooperation with law enforcement agencies to promote safer communities.
Representing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police at the rally, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Anthony Placid, expressed the command’s support for the partnership.
Tijani commended the CRU and ECAPI for working together, describing collaboration between the police and advocacy organisations as important to rebuilding public trust.
He said such partnerships could improve information sharing, strengthen accountability and enhance security through closer engagement with communities.
The sensitisation campaign began at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja and ended at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters annex in Obalende.
Activities included roadshows, market outreach, the distribution of educational materials and demonstrations on how residents could use the CRU’s complaint-reporting channels.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Lagos State Command, Mr Anthony Placid, and the founder of Eagle Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiative (ECAPI) Amb. Samuel Eniola, during the rally in Lagos on Friday
During the rally
The police and ECAPI members
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