The Niger State Police Command has distanced itself from allegations circulating on social media, claiming that its personnel were involved in the assault, forced shaving, and extortion of young men with dreadlocks in the Pogo area of the state.
A video that surfaced online on 24th April, 2025, featured a young man alleging that policemen accosted them based on their hairstyle, beat them, shaved their hair, and demanded a payment of two thousand naira.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, 26th April, 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP W.A. Abiodun, the Command emphasized that its officers were not responsible for the alleged misconduct.
According to SP Abiodun, the operation in question was carried out by a joint security team and not exclusively by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Niger State Command. He noted that the victim in the viral video categorically mentioned those responsible, disassociated the police from the unprofessional acts.
“The Command urges members of the public to disregard the false narrative linking the Police to the misconduct and calls on reporters to verify information thoroughly before rushing to conclusions,” the statement read.
The Command further encouraged residents of Niger State to report any acts of unprofessionalism by police personnel by contacting the Police Public Relations Unit or the Public Complaints Unit through the number: 08032233454.
