Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigeria Police Force of implementing directives that, according to him, are not grounded in law.

Sowore made the allegation on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s programme, The Morning Brief, while discussing the state of citizen–police relations in the country.

He emphasised that policing should primarily focus on safeguarding citizens and upholding their rights, rather than adopting a confrontational posture toward the public.

According to him, the institution’s approach is still influenced by its colonial-era origins, which he said shaped an adversarial relationship with civilians.

Sowore argued that policing ought to prioritise the protection of the populace, but claimed that the police often concentrate on enforcing laws and, in some cases, actions that are not legally established.

He urged senior officers within the police hierarchy to reform the institution’s orientation, stressing the need to “change the DNA” of the force so that its foremost responsibility becomes the protection and service of the people.