From Ben Dunno, Warri
The Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), has outlined key areas that the Inspector General of police should looked into to enhance professionalism and efficient policing.
CDHR National President,Mr. Kehinde Prince Taiga, said the capacity of the IGP ,Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, was not in doubt, especially in the area of zero tolerance to crimes and instilling discipline in the men and officers of the Force.
The body, however, advised the IGP to keep adhering to those things that had singled him out from his days as a young officer up to when he was appointed in an acting capacity, especially the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in handling all cases with the populace.
While urging him to ensure that his men and officers along the chains of Commands from Force Headquarters, Abuja, to state Commands and Divisional units across the federation adhere strictly to Administration of Criminal Justice Act, saying that it was the only way to earn public trust and respect under his watch.
The statement reads in part,”we the members of the above mentioned rights group, wishe to lend our voice in congratulating IGP Kayode Egbetokun, on his confirmation as substantive IGP by the Police Council and reaffirmed our support to make him succeed in the task ahead.
“We have taken time out to study his track record of achievements over the years and we want to state categorically that his appointment was not based on sentiments ,but well deserved considering his zero tolerance to crimes and enforcing discipline among officers and men of the Force at every level he had served.
“We have watched him re-enact this in his acting capacity as IGP and we called on him to sustain this in addition to injecting new innovation in encouraging professionalism in the force, especially when dealing with the civil society all through his tenure in office.
“One of the ways to promote professional conduct of the police officers had been captured in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), and we appealed to IGP Egbetokun, to make its adherence compulsory to police officers having direct contact with the public, inorder to earn the respect and trust of the populace in his
time.
“We demand the immediate prohibition of illegal road blocks, especially on the highways. The road blocks were primarily set up for extortion of motorists and other road users, while we solicit the prompt prosecution of erring officers that were caught in the act and reported accordingly to serve
as deterrents to others .
“Also, we would like to solicit the regular recognition of officers and men,who have performed creditably well in their duty with promotions and monetary incentives, in order to serve as encouragement and morale booster to others that hard work pays and can earn them appreciation from time to time”.
“The recent commercialization of the police force is now a concern.Our investigations now revealed that some police officers, mostly at the Division level only render quality services to the very rich and the mighty in the society for pecuniary gains and treats the poor with similar issues with disrespect. This must stop under your watch, as the police force is for all Nigerians.
“CDHR, also would like Egbetokun, to issue directive to all the divisional headquarters through the state Commands to stay away from civil matters,such as land disputes and chieftaincy or kingship tussles, noting that such cases should be handled by Courts while the police should focus more on criminal cases”