The Nigeria Police Force has directed its Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) X-Squad to intensify monitoring of officers deployed on roadblocks, checkpoints, and stop-and-search duties across the country.
The directive, contained in a signal signed by Compol DDFA on behalf of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIGPol) at the FCID, was relayed to state police commands, including Enugu. The document, obtained on Monday, instructed commanders to warn personnel against misconduct while on duty.
Part of the signal read:
“AIGPol FCID directs you to warn all personnel serving on roadblocks, checkpoints, stop and search, investigation sections, and operational outfits to be mindful of their actions, as men of the FCID X-Squad will embark on routine checks to ensure discipline among officers. Make this a subject of lecture to all and sundry. Acknowledge receipt of this order via a return signal within 72 hours. Treat as very important immediately.”
The FCID X-Squad serves as the disciplinary arm of the force, mandated to investigate, monitor, and sanction officers involved in unprofessional or corrupt practices.
Over the years, the squad has carried out unannounced inspections at highways and police posts to check extortion, harassment, and abuse of power by officers. In past operations, erring personnel caught demanding bribes or intimidating motorists were punished, with penalties ranging from suspension to dismissal.
The renewed deployment follows rising public outcry over police misconduct. Motorists and civil rights groups have consistently decried bribery, arbitrary arrests, harassment, and, in some cases, brutality at police checkpoints.
Such abuses were a major trigger of the 2020 #EndSARS protests, where millions of Nigerians demanded the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and broader police reforms.
Despite repeated assurances of reform, allegations of extortion and intimidation by officers, particularly on inter-state highways, continue to fuel distrust between citizens and the police.
