Micah Jonah
February 1, 2026
The Nigeria Police Force has restated that disputes over land ownership are civil matters, must be resolved through the courts, not by police intervention.
The Force Criminal Investigation Department FCID, Alagbon, Lagos, made this clarification on Sunday following complaints by some Lagos landowners over what they described as undue police involvement in land disputes.
Speaking in Lagos, FCID spokesperson, Aminat Mayegun, explained that the police have no legal mandate to determine ownership of land, stressing that such matters fall strictly within the jurisdiction of the courts.
She acknowledged growing public concern that police interference in land related disputes had, in some cases, heightened tension, encouraged intimidation and complicated the peaceful resolution of ownership claims.
According to her, while disagreements over land boundaries or ownership are civil in nature, police involvement becomes necessary only when criminal elements arise from such disputes.
Ms. Mayegun said offences such as obtaining money by false pretence, fraud, malicious damage to property, arson, assault or violence committed under the guise of land disputes are criminal and fall within the responsibility of the police to investigate and prosecute.
She cautioned individuals against taking the law into their own hands or resorting to violence to enforce land claims, urging aggrieved parties to seek redress through lawful and judicial means.
The FCID spokesperson further assured members of the public that the police would continue to operate strictly within the confines of the law while carrying out their duties.
She also advised citizens to report cases of police misconduct or unlawful interference in land matters to the Police Complaints Response Unit for appropriate action.
