Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Solomon Arase, has promised to train officers and men of the police force on human rights.
Arase while speaking in Lagos at the graduation of officers and men who trained in human rights and also to observe the International Day for Human Rights said that his administration would ensure that human rights observation by officers would not be compromised.
The I-G, represented by DCP Administration, DCP Lawal Ardo said he was going to give a total support to the training of officers and men on human rights, stressing the need for more organisations to join in the training as he assured the training will be conducted nationwide.
He therefore enjoined the graduands to put to practice all they were taught during the training, warning that there would be sanctions for any officers who violate people’s rights.
The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni in his remarks said the training was approved for Lagos police command with a view to have efficient officers and men.
Owoseni, however, frowned at the number of officers involved in human rights abuse despite training on the matter.
”It is sad that we still have police brutality, uncivil conducts by some officers. Human rights training should change the attitude and mind set of officers on police job.
”There are police that make illegal arrest, raid innocent persons in order to extort them.
Your conscience should guide you to do that which is right.
”Officers should have the fear God, what you know you would do and will not be able to defend, don’t do it. You are not given uniform and gun bought by tax payers money to oppress people” he advised.
The Executive Director of Crime Victims Foundation, Mrs Gloria Egbuji said about 14,000 officers and men from Lagos, Railway, Airport police commands had been trained on human rights.
Egbuji said before the commencement of the training, many human rights abuses were recorded in all the commands.