The Nigeria Police Force has lamented the strike embarked on by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria even as it continues to battle overcrowding at its detention facilities.

Judiciary workers had last Tuesday embarked on the indefinite nationwide strike in protest against the denial of the judiciary its constitutionally-guaranteed financial autonomy which was also affirmed by a Federal High Court in January 2014.

The strike has prevented the police and other law enforcement agencies from arraigning suspects in courts, which have remained shut since last week.

Consequently, suspects who ordinarily should not spend more than 48 hours in custody are being detained indefinitely.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, said the acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had ordered commissioners of police to ensure that unnecessary arrests were avoided.

Mba, who described the strike as unfortunate, said the IGP ordered that alternative dispute resolution should be explored in certain cases while administrative bail should be given where possible.