The Anambra State Police Command has reaffirmed its resolve to uphold the rights and dignity of all citizens, cautioning strongly against caste-based practices like the Osu system, which it described as “barbaric, unlawful, and incompatible with Nigeria’s constitutional order.”
The statement, released on Wednesday, the 24th of September, 2025, by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made it clear that denying anyone their entitlements because of caste is a direct breach of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), alongside existing anti-discrimination laws.
Referencing Section 42(1) of the Constitution, the Police noted that no Nigerian can lawfully face discrimination based on ethnicity, origin, sex, religion, or circumstances of birth. The Command also highlighted Section 34(1), which guarantees the right to dignity and prohibits degrading treatment. In addition, the Discrimination Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2018, specifically criminalizes such practices and sets penalties for offenders.
“The attempt to deny couples the right to marry or live freely together on the basis of caste practices is unacceptable and unlawful.
“Once two consenting adults agree to marry, no cultural barrier or discriminatory practice has any legal standing to override their constitutional rights to freedom of association, family life, and dignity,” the Command warned.
Ikenga emphasized that the Nigerian state operates under the rule of law, not oppressive traditions, and assured that those who try to enforce caste-based restrictions would be held accountable.
He called on residents to embrace peace, fairness, and respect, urging them to report any case of caste-driven discrimination to nearby police formations.
“The dignity, freedom, and security of every individual remain a top priority for the Anambra State Police Command,” the PPRO maintained.
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The Osu caste system is a centuries-old practice in parts of Igboland, where individuals labeled “Osu” were historically dedicated to deities and deemed inferior. Over time, this group has endured widespread stigma, social exclusion, and, most prominently, rejection in marriage arrangements with those regarded as “freeborn” or Nwadiala.
Despite longstanding condemnation from civil rights advocates, faith leaders, and contemporary Igbo authorities, vestiges of the practice remain visible in some communities, often expressed through marital restrictions, ostracism, and quiet social discrimination.
Opponents argue the practice undermines values of equality and human dignity, with its survival continuing to spark divisions and broken family ties.
The Police Command’s stance is being interpreted as part of a broader push to dismantle entrenched caste systems and reinforce the supremacy of constitutional rights over customs that strip individuals of their dignity.