The House of Representatives has raised alarm over mufti-clad security operatives at checkpoints in parts of the country
The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the increasing presence of un-uniformed and unidentified security personnel manning checkpoints in the south-east and south-south regions of Nigeria.
The lawmakers say the practice poses a grave national security risk and undermines public confidence in law enforcement.
Adopting the motion the House directed the Committees on Police Affairs and Interior to summon the heads of the two security agencies Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, and the Commander General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ahmed Abubakar Audi and relevant authorities to explain the persistent non-compliance with uniform standards and to provide a clear implementation timeline for the directive.
The committees are to undertake oversight visits to affected regions and report back to the House within six weeks.
The House also mandated the IGP of the Commander General of NSCDC to immediately enforce strict compliance with existing regulations requiring all officers on checkpoint, patrol, and stop-and-search duties to appear in full uniform with visible identification tags, names, and ranks.
These resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Ibe Okwara Osonwa(LP Abia), who urged the House to address what he described as “the unprecedented rate of plain-clothed security personnel at checkpoints,” warning that the development violates established policing protocols and threatens citizen safety.
Osonwa noted that the Nigerian Police Act, 2020, and other related operational guidelines mandate proper identification and uniform adherence by security operatives to ensure accountability, transparency, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
He expressed concern that the growing trend of officers from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Highway Patrol, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) conducting stop-and-search operations in plain clothes, jeans, or incomplete uniforms, often without visible name tags or ranks violates standard security procedures.
“This gross lack of proper identification at checkpoints creates a dangerous climate of ambiguity, making it virtually impossible for citizens to distinguish between genuine security personnel and criminal impersonators,” Rep. Osonwa said.
“The alarming rate of extortion, harassment, and abuse of power by officers in plain clothes makes it difficult to track or discipline errant personnel, thereby fuelling criminal impunity.”
The lawmaker added that with the approaching festive season, a period of increased travel between the south-east and south-south, there is an urgent need to safeguard the public from potential abuse and security breaches at numerous checkpoints along major highways.
Ruling on the motion the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the day’s plenary, referred it to the Committees of Police and Interior for further legislative action.
