The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has formally petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC), calling for an urgent investigation and disciplinary action against Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ibrahim Babazango over alleged discriminatory conduct and unprofessional behaviour.
According to the petition submitted to the PSC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, RULAAC accused DCP Babazango, currently serving with the Lagos State Police Command, of making ethnically charged and threatening remarks against a businessman, Mr Vincent Umeh, who recently purchased a property in Yola, Adamawa State.
The petition cites multiple eyewitness accounts and a viral audio recording in which DCP Babazango allegedly objected to having a “Southerner” as a neighbour. In the recording, he reportedly said: Mr Umeh, who lawfully acquired the property from Mr Ismail Mamman with proper documentation, claimed that despite attempts to resolve the matter peacefully, DCP Babazango continued issuing threats.
The businessman has since reported the incident to both the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) for protection.
When confronted by neighbours, DCP Babazango allegedly reaffirmed his stance, stating that the presence of an “outsider” in the area was unacceptable and that the seller should have offered him the “first right of refusal.”
He reportedly warned that he could not guarantee Mr Umeh’s safety if he insisted on taking possession of the property. RULAAC outlined several grounds for disciplinary action, including: Violation of Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom from ethnic discrimination, Breach of the Nigeria Police (Establishment) Act, 2020, particularly Section 55 on equality and dignity, Contravention of the Police Code of Conduct prohibiting ethnic bias and abuse of authority Unbecoming conduct under Public Service Rules and Police Discipline Regulations and Threats to public peace and incitement of ethnic discord.
RULAAC urged the PSC to launch a formal investigation, including forensic analysis of the audio recording, suspend DCP Babazango pending the outcome of the inquiry, convene a disciplinary panel to determine culpability, issue a public statement reaffirming the PSC’s commitment to non-discrimination and direct the Inspector-General of Police to ensure Mr Umeh’s safety.
The advocacy group emphasised that no Nigerian should feel unsafe or unwelcome in any part of the country due to their ethnicity. It warned that failure to act decisively could embolden similar misconduct and erode public trust in law enforcement.
