He reminded officers that the powers entrusted to them come with responsibility, stressing that every investigation must be conducted within the law and in accordance with established police procedures.
“The job has standard operating procedures which you must follow. Investigation in very specialised cases is not something you gloss over or approach without preparation,” he said.
The AIG urged detectives to continually update their knowledge of relevant laws and standard operating procedures, particularly as criminals increasingly adopt new methods in financial and other specialised crimes.
He said working under experienced senior officers should be seen as an opportunity for mentorship, learning and professional development.
Akpanudom was particularly emphatic on the issue of proxy arrests, warning detectives against arresting people simply because they are relatives, associates or acquaintances of wanted suspects.
“If you are looking for Mr John, it is Mr John you are looking for. You must have done a lot of background investigation before you look for Mr John,” he said.
The AIG also cautioned officers against the arbitrary seizure of mobile phones and other electronic devices, stressing that such items should only be taken when they are instruments of an offence or are relevant to an investigation.
He directed detectives to obtain appropriate High Court orders and warrants before processing requests for watch-listing and other restrictive measures.
According to him, involving police legal officers early in an investigation would help detectives avoid procedural errors and produce stronger investigation reports.
Akpanudom further warned against the misuse of remand orders and warrants, reminding officers that suspects and members of the public remain entitled to their fundamental rights.
“We have to be very conscious of the rights of our citizens. Do not abuse people’s rights,” he said.
He also raised concerns over duplicated investigations, noting that some complainants could deliberately conceal previous reports in order to have another police formation reopen or take over a case.
He therefore urged detectives to properly verify complaints before taking over investigations and to seek legal advice whenever there is uncertainty.
The AIG tasked team leaders and senior officers with ensuring effective supervision of their personnel, saying professional standards must be maintained at every level of the police command.
He also reminded officers that professionalism goes beyond investigations, urging them to maintain proper appearance, discipline and conduct expected of members of the Nigeria Police Force.
On corruption, Akpanudom warned that the misconduct of one officer could damage public confidence in the entire police institution.
“Let us be in the news for the good reason. Even if you didn’t get anything else, let that be your mantra,” he said.
The AIG expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian police officers to deliver quality investigations and protect the public, urging them to remain competent, disciplined and committed to restoring and sustaining public trust.
The Commissioners of Police in charge of SWAT and PSFU, Mr Olukayode Ayilara and Mr Eloho Okpoziakpo, respectively, thanked the AIG for the visit and the guidance offered to their personnel.
They assured him that their formations would continue to uphold professionalism, discipline, integrity and respect for the rule of law.
