A lawyer, Mike Kebonkwu of the Koyen-Hi Kebonkwu Chambers has raised the alarm over what it describes as an escalating pattern of “unconstitutional and Gestapo-style” arrests and detentions by the Nigerian police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). Nigerian fashion
Kebonkwu Esq in a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, declared that Nigeria is witnessing a dangerous return to impunity reminiscent of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which sparked nationwide protests in 2020.
He said changing the name from SARS to IRT is a cosmetic sham, calling for an immediate audit of IRT operations nationwide.
Citing a case, Kebonkwu described how Buba Mohammed, a villager from Yobe State, was abducted from his home in Girim and transported over 800 kilometers to Abuja by IRT operatives.
He explained that Mohammed has since been detained without bail or charge — not for any alleged crime of his own, but because officers are reportedly using him as bait to capture his elder brother.
Koyen-Hi Kebonkwu Chambers warned that arbitrary detention is not an isolated occurrence but a systemic crisis, with law enforcement agents often settling personal scores, executing politically motivated arrests, and extorting suspects.
He emphasised that such abuses violate Section 35 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees personal liberty and mandates arraignment within 48 hours of arrest — a provision widely flouted by the police.Nigerian fashion
Kebonkwu demanded urgent government action to restore the rule of law, warning that continued silence and inaction would further alienate the public and risk sparking mass protests reminiscent of the #EndSARS movement.
The statement reads in part: “Law enforcement agencies and other security organizations have a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property. They also have the power to investigate, arrest, and detain suspects and criminals. This onerous duty is not arbitrary but must be conducted within the ambits of the law and with respect for the fundamental rights of citizens, in accordance with democratic tenets.
“We have witnessed alarming incidences of unlawful and arbitrary arrests and detentions of citizens by law enforcement agencies, which have become commonplace. This is a widespread practice among security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force — and the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in particular — which operates like a Gestapo, going to any part of the country to arrest and bring suspects to Abuja, only to dump them in cells under dehumanising conditions.
“It has metamorphosed into the disbanded and dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), operating without supervision or control. Their operations are not intelligence-driven in any sense of the word.
“It has become necessary to draw the attention of stakeholders and the general public to stem this ugly trend of impunity and arrogant displays of power by security agents. The practice involves detaining individuals without charge and beyond constitutional limits, without court orders and without formal charges. This press release highlights the alarming trend, its implications, and demands immediate action from the government and those with oversight responsibilities over these agencies.
“Unlawful arrest and detention — also known as arbitrary arrest and detention — is a serious violation of human rights and fundamental principles of justice. It is a pervasive practice where citizens are detained without due process or justifiable reasons. Sometimes, unscrupulous elements in these agencies are procured or induced to settle personal scores or civil matters, based on fictitious petitions instigated by malice.”
He continued: “This is the case of one Buba Mohammed, who was arrested at Girim, a remote village in Busari Local Government Area of Yobe State, by operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on the 17th of March, 2025, and has been detained in their facility in Guzape, Abuja, without charges. He has been denied bail, and the police officers in charge of the case insist they will not release him until they apprehend his elder brother — in effect, using him as bait.
“This is the plight of many people in police custody, especially at the IRT. People are framed, and evidence is planted. What is the offence of Buba Mohammed that the Yobe State Police Command or the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) cannot handle? Why spend taxpayers’ money to bring him to Abuja?
“Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right to personal liberty and due process. It provides that anyone arrested must be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction within 24 to 48 hours, where there is a court within a 40 km radius. This provision is routinely flouted. Youths are arrested simply because of the way they dress; journalists and government critics are routinely held for weeks or even months without formal charges or court orders.
“The incidence of arbitrary arrests and detentions is on the rise. Law enforcement agents see themselves as above the law, operating like paid goons. People are detained for extended periods without access to medical care; they are denied access to their lawyers, and in some cases, the lawyers themselves are harassed and intimidated. Detainees are subjected to physical and psychological torture and thoroughly traumatized. They are extorted and forced to make false confessions due to abuse.
“The unlawful detention of citizens has severe implications for human rights, the rule of law, and national security. It undermines public trust in law enforcement agencies, creates a culture of impunity, and emboldens perpetrators of human rights abuses. This attitude also instills timidity and fear in the judiciary, where some judges, even in deserving cases, would rather pander to the whims and intuitions of law enforcement agents.
“If the authorities do not intervene — and quickly too — it could lead to discontent and spontaneous demonstrations similar to the #EndSARS protests.
“We demand that the government and relevant authorities do not pretend these abuses do not exist or gloss over them. That would be a recipe for disaster in the event of violent protest or unrest. Changing SARS to IRT is mere cosmetics and has not changed the notorious practices of these operatives regarding human rights abuses.
“We therefore call on the government, as a matter of urgency, to take the following actions: Investigate all allegations of unlawful detention and bring perpetrators to justice; Ensure that all detainees are treated in accordance with the due process of law; Establish an independent review mechanism to monitor and provide oversight of law enforcement agencies and audit the activities of the IRT, which has taken on the visor of SARS.
“The unlawful detention of citizens by law enforcement agencies is a grave concern that requires immediate action. The irreducible minimum demand is that the rights of citizens must be respected — even when being investigated. We recognize the rights and duties of law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities, but this must be done lawfully, professionally, and in accordance with due process,” the statement added.
