IGP Warns Against Human Rights Abuse

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr Solomon Arase has warned officers of the Nigeria Police against violation of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility.
The IGP gave this warning yesterday when he visited the Edo State Command of the force as part of his tour of all police formations in the country.
Arase said that officers of the force must show the best professional practices in the discharge of their duty and avoid things capable of bringing the police into disrepute.
While urging that policing must have human face, the IGP said that officers of the force should be able to draw a line between civil and criminal offence.
Arase also said that for effective policing, the police should re-enact the traditional system of policing and bring them in tandem to modern way of policing.
The IGP who noted that the ban on road blocks was one of the best decisions taken by the police under his watch,  said the police would continue to do its best to increase the security space in the nation’s highways.
“When I came on board as the IG, I had made my mission and vision known as regards the modern system of policing and it is in this regard that I had embarked on tour of all police formations across the country to sell this vision.
“Like I have said, we must all imbibe modern ways of policing, protect and not violate the fundamental human rights of the citizenry, ensure proper conduct of our officers in the discharge of their duty, as well as ensuring the effective policing of the people.
“To ensure better policing and information gathering, I also has advocated for regular town hall meeting, especially with non-state actors such as the media, road transport workers and others.
“Above all, suspects should not be detained in our facility more than necessary. It will be better to look for evidence before detaining such suspects rather than detaining before looking for evidence,” he stated.