29/12/2025
There Is No Law That Allows a Police Officer to Strip a Woman Naked in Nigeria
This is a serious violation of human rights and dignity, and no Nigerian law permits it, not even during investigation or arrest.
📌. It Is a Criminal Offence
In Nigeria, stripping a woman naked, or any form of sexual harassment or assault, is a crime under several laws:
Criminal Code (Southern Nigeria): Sections 357–358 (prohibit r**e and sexual assault).
Penal Code (Northern Nigeria): Sections 282–285.
Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), 2015):
Prohibits all forms of sexual violence, physical abuse, harassment, and inhuman treatment.
Any police officer or security agent who strips a woman is guilty of:
Sexual assault, and
Abuse of power/office.
📌. Police Officers Have No Right to Violate a Woman’s Dignity
Even if a woman is under arrest:
She still has the right to dignity, privacy, and protection from abuse.
Stripping her is not part of any legitimate investigation or arrest process.
It is unlawful, immoral, and punishable by law.
📌. What Can Be Done?
If a woman is stripped or sexually assaulted by any officer:
She has the right to file a complaint with:
The Police Complaints Response Unit (PCRU)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
NAPTIP or human rights lawyers
She can take legal action against the officer and the police force.
No police officer has any legal or moral right to strip a woman naked.
It is a violation of her body, dignity, and human rights — and it is a punishable criminal offence.