Your Phone, Hair, and Hoodie Are Not Probable Cause: How the Police Act 2020 Protects You From Street Profiling

 For decades, being stopped by the Nigerian police for no reason other than your outfit, hairstyle, or age was just part of life. But those days are officially over — if citizens know their rights.

The Police Act 2020 has rewritten the rules of engagement between Nigerians and law enforcement, introducing enforceable rights, strict timelines for detention, and formal accountability mechanisms. Yet, many Nigerians remain unaware that the law now legally limits police powers that were once seen as untouchable.

At a recent town hall in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, civic group Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) broke down what the new law actually means for everyday interactions with police. Aisha Abubakar, PWAN Programme Officer, emphasised: “Laws alone do not change institutions. People do.”

What Has Changed:

• No more arbitrary stops: Under Section 54, police cannot search you based on stereotypes like hairstyle, clothing, or age. Random gadget checks for ‘looking suspicious’ are illegal.
• Right to know why you’re stopped: Section 35 requires officers to immediately explain why you are being stopped or arrested. You can ask for a lawyer, have Legal Aid notified, and insist your family is informed.
• 24-hour detention rule: Suspects can no longer be held indefinitely. You must be brought to court or granted bail within 24 hours.
• Humane treatment mandatory: Sections 32–37 strictly forbid torture, degrading treatment, unnecessary handcuffing, or arrests for civil debts.
• Searches done right: Officers must identify themselves, explain the legal basis, and conduct searches with dignity, in private if needed, and preferably by an officer of the same sex.
• Accountability built-in: Every police command has a Police Complaints Response Unit. Complaints — from unlawful detention to evidence planting — must be investigated within 21 days, with disciplinary action for confirmed misconduct.

Chief Magistrate Glory Udonnah stressed that the new law is about deepening rights awareness: “The Police Act 2020 protects you while helping police serve you better. It changes the narrative from fear to accountability.”

Citizens are encouraged to document interactions, know their rights, and report violations. Public education and insistence on proper policing are key — the law only works if it’s used.

As the 2020 reforms take root, the question remains: will Nigerians demand the protections they now have, or will fear and habit allow old abuses to persist?

SOURCE : NaijaRush Assignment Desk