In a bold and uncompromising move, the Take It Back (TIB) Movement has called for the immediate resignation of Nigerian police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, following his contentious remark defending police officers’ ability to enter private properties without a warrant. The comment, which has sparked outrage nationwide, has been described as a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law and normalizes abuse of power by law enforcement.
The movement’s National Coordinator, Sanyaolu Juwon, issued a strongly-worded statement on Sunday, condemning Adejobi’s assertion as not only legally questionable but also a glaring endorsement of police brutality and systemic misconduct.
The uproar stems from a widely circulated video showing masked, armed policemen in improper attire scaling a fence, storming a property without a warrant, and firing gunshots to disperse civilians. Instead of addressing the legality and ethics of such conduct, Adejobi doubled down, stating that police officers have the right to break into any property without a warrant if they suspect criminal activity.
This statement has been met with widespread criticism, with TIB describing it as a reckless justification for unchecked police intrusion.
“As an organization committed to human rights and good governance, we cannot tolerate this blatant disregard for the rule of law,” the TIB statement read. “The primary duty of the police is to protect and serve, not to oppress and intimidate. Allowing officers to act on subjective suspicion without judicial oversight is a dangerous slippery slope that invites widespread abuse and further alienates the Nigerian people from law enforcement.”
The movement further lambasted Adejobi for downplaying the incident by commenting on the officers’ dressing, calling it a “blatant attempt to distract from the real issue at hand: systemic abuse of power and lack of accountability within the Nigerian police force.”
The TIB Movement has gone beyond criticizing Adejobi, demanding the resignation of both the police spokesperson and the Inspector General of Police for their failure to address the rising tide of police misconduct. “The silence of the Inspector General on this matter speaks volumes and underscores the deep-rooted rot within the institution,” the statement added.
In a clarion call to Nigerians, the group urged civil society organizations and justice advocates to unite in condemning the statement and demanding systemic reforms within the police force.
“The Nigerian police force must be restructured to prioritize accountability, respect for citizens’ rights, and adherence to due process. Only collective action can create a society where justice prevails and law enforcement serves the people rather than oppressing them,” TIB asserted.
The movement also highlighted that Adejobi’s comments are not an isolated issue but part of a larger culture of impunity that has plagued the Nigerian police for years. From the #EndSARS protests against police brutality to recent cases of extrajudicial actions, public trust in law enforcement has reached an all-time low.
With public outrage mounting and the TIB Movement leading the charge, the spotlight is once again on the Nigerian government’s willingness—or lack thereof—to reform its police force. Adejobi’s resignation, TIB argues, is the first step in restoring some measure of accountability and trust in a system that has long been accused of serving itself rather than the people.
The message from TIB is clear: Nigerians deserve a police force that upholds the law, respects human rights, and operates transparently. Anything less is unacceptable.
PIONEER NEWS 