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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
A non-governmental organisation, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has sensitised key stakeholders in Enugu State on the provisions of the Police Act 2020, as part of efforts to address gaps in its understanding and implementation within the Nigeria Police Force and the wider public.
The sensitisation took place on Wednesday during a one-day town hall meeting held at Bon Platinum Hotel, Enugu, aimed at sensitising citizens, media practitioners and other stakeholders on police reforms and accountability mechanisms contained in the Act.
Executive Director of PWAN, Ms Kemi Okenyodo, said persistent policing challenges in Nigeria are largely driven by poor knowledge and inconsistent application of policing laws by officers and police leadership.
Okenyodo, who was represented by Hamidat Oyedele, noted that issues such as corruption, abuse of power and the disconnect between the police and communities they serve have continued to undermine public trust in law enforcement.
“PWAN is a women-led non-governmental organisation dedicated to strengthening citizens’ participation and improving security governance in Nigeria and across West Africa,” she said.
According to her, the organisation works through research, collaborative advocacy, capacity building and information dissemination, while supporting the implementation of national and international frameworks such as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law (ACJA/L), the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan, the Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism National Action Plan and relevant United Nations resolutions.
She explained that the town hall meeting was organised under the project titled ‘Enhancing Public Trust and Gender-Responsive Policing in Nigeria through the Effective Implementation of the Police Act’, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The project, she added, is being implemented across several states, including Enugu, Borno, Adamawa, Kano, Plateau, Lagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory.
Okenyodo said the initiative focuses on training senior police officers, enlightening the public on their rights and responsibilities under the Police Act 2020, and engaging the media to promote transparency, accountability and respect for human rights in policing.
