The Security Situation Room has called on Nigerian security agencies to stop the practice of stripping suspects half naked during detention or when bringing them out of cells for court arraignment.
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In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Convener of the Security Situation Room, Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., expressed concern over the dehumanising treatment of suspects by some security operatives across the country.
Ogbankwa noted that the practice is contrary to the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), which guarantees the dignity of the human person.
The legal practitioner emphasised that the citizenship of Nigerians is not suspended during arrests, stressing that suspects retain all the full rights of citizens.
“A suspect has a right to be treated with the dignity of human person. He or she should be properly clothed and wear his or her shoes or slippers when being brought out of the cell or being arraigned in Court,” the statement read.
Ogbankwa reminded investigating officers and their team leaders of the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act, 2020, which makes investigating police officers personally liable in any case of torture.
He further noted that the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws and the Federal Act grant citizens the right of cause of action to sue investigating officers in their personal capacities if they are found to have faulted in their duties in any way.
The statement serves as a reminder to security agencies to uphold constitutional provisions and respect the fundamental rights of all persons in their custody, regardless of the allegations against them.
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