UNITED IN SECURITY: Expert Called for Reforms as Search for Common Ground Trained Police Officers in Benue State.
Security Consultant and retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Austin Iwar has called on the Nigerian Police to look inward and address issues that challenge professionalism.
In a 3-day workshop series held in Makurdi, the former Police Officer appreciated the Police High Command for introducing the Police Complaint Response Unit (PCRU), aimed to address shortcomings of Police Officers like extortion, unlawful arrest/detention, harassment, extra judicial killings among other unlawful acts.
AIG Iwar also charged the participants to get acquainted with the relevant laws that guide Police conduct. He said the Police Act, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law and others have specified how an officer can effectively carry out his duties without infringing on the rights of citizens.
While acknowledging the role of the officers in policing the citizens, the security scholar also appealed to the government to prioritise funding of the force to address operational challenges that affect smooth running and encourage corruption.
AIG Iwar however charged the officers to embrace accountability, transparency and professionalism in spite of challenges to build integrity in themselves and gain the confidence and trust of the citizens.
Responding, some of the officers including Constable James Igbudu, Inspector John Ameh and ASP Mohammed appreciated Search for Common Ground and the facilitator for the training which has reawakened their consciousness in policing Nigerians. The officers drawn from Makurdi, Guma, Otukpo, Agatu and the FCT, promised to step down the lessons of the training in their respective places of national assignments. They also applauded the Force High Command for introducing the CRU which will instil caution in misconduct against members of the public.
Earlier, Mariah Okorie who spoke on behalf of Search for Common Ground said the training was conceived to deepen the relationship between the Police and the citizens as well as instil discipline in officers in the area of human rights protection.
Search for Common Ground has presence in about 32 countries of the world and has been working in Nigeria since 2004, in promoting peace across different States and regions. In Benue State, the Benue Coalition for Human Rights Protection and Community Security Architecture Dialogue were birthed as stepdowns, for promoting security and encouraging Human Rights Protection in the State.
Coordinator of the Coalition, Jimmie Adzande who was also a participant at the training urged the officers to communicate lessons from the training, to their colleagues. He also appreciated Search for the knowledge to serve the Benue citizens through advocacy.
Participants from the workshop were drawn from the Police and the civil society organisations.
