“NO MORE EXTORTION!” Delta CP Cracks Down on Unprofessional Conduct Among Police Officers

Residents across Delta State may soon witness stricter policing standards following a sweeping directive by the Delta State Police Command, targeting extortion, illegal checkpoints, and unprofessional conduct among officers.

The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, has ordered a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and misconduct, warning that any officer found culpable will face immediate disciplinary action.

The directive was issued during a high-level strategic conference held on April 14, 2026, where Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) were summoned to align with the reform agenda of the Nigeria Police Force under the Inspector-General of Police.

In what many residents will consider a major relief, the CP declared a total clampdown on extortion and unauthorized roadblocks across the state.

“Any officer found engaging in extortion or operating illegal checkpoints will face strict disciplinary action,” he warned.

He further directed senior officers to take full responsibility for ensuring compliance within their jurisdictions, stressing that accountability will not stop at the junior level.

Addressing a common public concern, CP Oyeniyi cautioned officers against interfering in purely civil disputes, particularly land ownership cases, unless there is clear evidence of criminal activity.

This move is expected to curb the growing complaints of police involvement in civil matters across communities.

The Police Commissioner also took a firm stance against “arrest by proxy”—a practice widely criticized by citizens—insisting that only individuals directly linked to a crime should be arrested and investigated.

He emphasized that all policing actions must strictly comply with human rights standards and existing laws.

To improve security outcomes, officers were directed to adopt proactive and intelligence-driven policing strategies, including community engagement, stop-and-search operations, faster response times, and improved supervision.

The CP warned against poorly coordinated raids, noting that sloppy operations and weak investigations damage public trust.

Reinforcing the service-oriented nature of policing, CP Oyeniyi reminded officers that members of the public are key stakeholders who must be treated with dignity and professionalism.

He also stressed the importance of deploying competent officers to sensitive duty posts like the Charge Room, which serves as the first point of contact between the police and the public.

The latest directive is likely to resonate strongly with residents across Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, and other parts of the state, where complaints of extortion and unprofessional conduct have persisted.

With the new orders in place, expectations are high that policing standards in Delta State will improve significantly in the coming weeks.