THE Nigeria Police Force has dismissed media reports alleging that its personnel across the country were being compelled to pay N2,000 each for a handbook titled “Attitudinal Change Handbook for the Nigeria Police Force.”
An online publication had claimed that police authorities set a deadline for officers to procure the handbook, making the purchase mandatory while warning of sanctions for refusal.
However, documents obtained by News Point Nigeria on Monday indicated that the approval granted by the Force Headquarters simply allowed the author, Dr. Joseph Danley, to market the handbook directly to officers willing to buy it voluntarily.
The authorization letter, dated May 28, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner of Police (Training), Rashid Afegbua, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Training and Development, introduced the author to formations nationwide.
The circular stated: “I am directed to introduce Dr. Joseph Danley, author of the handbook ‘Attitudinal Change for Nigeria Police Force’ and convey the approval of the Inspector-General of Police to enable him to directly market the Handbook to interested Police Officers who may wish to voluntarily procure same.”
Speaking with journalists, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, strongly rejected reports suggesting coercion, describing them as misleading and inaccurate.
He said there was no directive forcing personnel to buy the material: “I have conducted my findings, and no command has forced the book on any officer. The correspondence only stated it should be sold to interested police officers and that it must be voluntary,” Hundeyin clarified.
He challenged any officer who had been compelled to purchase the handbook to formally report such misconduct rather than escalate misinformation through the press.
“If any officer is being coerced, it should be reported. The Police Service Commission is empowered to take up such disciplinary issues,” he added.
Providing further context, the author, Dr. Danley, said the initiative was conceived to promote ethical conduct and mindset reform within the police system.
According to him, the training programme tied to the handbook was originally billed at N25,000 per officer but was made free based on directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“The IG was magnanimous to say there was no funding for such training, so the seminar is free, and only officers willing to buy the handbook can do so. Nothing is compulsory,” Danley explained.
He added that he had already delivered copies to various commands where officers showed interest and voluntarily purchased the publication.
The latest denial comes amid growing concerns and recent reports alleging extortion and compulsory financial contributions within the police force, further fueling public criticism.
The NPF reiterated that any proven cases of coercion would be promptly corrected, stressing its commitment to reforms, professionalism, and transparency.