The Commissioner of Police for Niger State Command, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has issued a stern warning to officers against employing torture techniques during criminal investigations.

The directive came during a strategic conference with senior officers of the Command in Minna, which included Heads of Departments, Tactical Commanders, Area Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) from all 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

"The use of torture in investigation activities is contrary to the professional ethics of the job and standard operating procedures," CP Elleman stated during the meeting.

The Commissioner specifically cautioned officers against obtaining confessional statements through coercion or other unprofessional means. Instead, he emphasized that police personnel should focus on establishing evidence and collecting exhibits that can prove cases beyond reasonable doubt.

Commendation for Anti-Thuggery Efforts

During the conference, CP Elleman commended the officers for their efforts in tackling thuggery and other criminal activities within Minna metropolis and other major cities across Niger State. He acknowledged that the menace of thuggery has been relatively contained and urged officers to sustain the measures currently in place.

The police chief encouraged DPOs not to relent in improving their anti-crime strategies to address other identified challenges. He specifically mentioned the importance of confidence-building patrols, active stakeholder engagement, and intelligence-led policing as crucial approaches for maintaining a peaceful environment.

This directive aligns with ongoing national efforts to reform police practices and improve the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.