The Anambra State Police Command has taken a bold stance against caste-based discrimination, describing it as not only a relic of a bygone era but also a gross violation of the fundamental human rights guaranteed under Nigerian law.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the Command insisted that humiliation, exclusion, or denial of rights on the basis of caste practices has no place in a modern society governed by the rule of law.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, reminded residents that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), explicitly outlaws such acts of discrimination. He stressed that the police will not stand idly by while individuals are subjected to degrading treatment because of outdated traditions.
Section 42(1) of the Constitution, he pointed out, is clear: no Nigerian shall be discriminated against on account of community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion, or circumstance of birth. For the Police, this legal provision is not just text on paper—it is a shield meant to protect every citizen equally.
Equally important is Section 34(1), which guarantees the right to dignity of the human person. According to Ikenga, this means that any act that dehumanizes or humiliates another citizen, including caste-based restrictions, is unlawful.
The Discrimination Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2018 also gives teeth to these constitutional safeguards, criminalizing discrimination and prescribing penalties for offenders. For the Police, this law provides a concrete basis for prosecution, making it clear that cultural sentiments cannot override justice.
One of the areas where caste practices have caused the deepest wounds is in marriage. Couples who freely choose to marry often face rejection or intimidation because of caste differences. The Police Command has declared that such barriers have no legal foundation in Nigeria.
“Once two consenting adults decide to marry, no cultural obstacle has the power to annul their constitutional rights to freedom of association, family life, and dignity,” the statement asserted. The message was unambiguous—tradition cannot dictate who one chooses to love.
The Command warned that any attempt to deny couples this right, or to subject them to harassment for their choices, would attract severe legal consequences. The Police promised to bring offenders to justice and make them answer for their actions.
Beyond legal enforcement, the Command appealed to the conscience of residents. It urged communities to foster peace, equality, and mutual respect, stressing that a society divided by caste cannot grow in harmony.
Ikenga further called on residents to actively report incidents of caste-based discrimination. According to him, silence and fear often embolden perpetrators, while timely reporting gives the Police an opportunity to act swiftly.
The statement also sought to reassure citizens that the Command prioritizes the dignity, freedom, and security of every resident of Anambra State. The Police, it said, are not merely enforcers of law but also protectors of human rights.
Observers note that the intervention by the Anambra Police Command is timely, given recurring reports of couples being harassed or prevented from marrying due to caste divisions. Civil rights advocates have often demanded that law enforcement agencies speak out more forcefully against such practices.
By taking this public stance, the Anambra Police Command has sent a powerful message—that Nigeria is governed not by oppressive customs, but by the Constitution and democratic values.
As the Command concluded, “The dignity, freedom, and security of every individual remain a top priority for the Anambra State Police Command. No cultural or caste-based practice will be allowed to diminish that.”
