Human Rights Group Calls On Nigerians To Support Police In Fighting Against Crimes 

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

Nigerians have been called upon to collaborate and support the Nigeria Police Force in checking and prevention of crimes in the society because there is no substitute to them.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the call was made in Lagos on 28th November, 2024, by the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiatives also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), during the first media town hall meeting on human rights, the Police Act 2020 and Regulation.

More than 60 journalists drawn from different media organisations from the States in South-West participated in the town hall meeting.

One of the facilitators of the meeting, Mr. Tosin Osasona, pointed out that there is no substitute to the Police in checking crimes in Nigeria.

“No matter how bad we may think our Police are, we really don’t have a substitute for them. Police must know that their legitimacy comes from acceptance by the people.”

“The difference between the Police in uniform and armed robbers is the uniform they are putting on that legitimised them to use power over citizens.”

“Police must know that they are the servants of the people, you don’t need to intimidate and violate their rights while on uniform.”

“As citizens, you can’t have a normal life without the presence of the Police. It is a message of balance, which the media must make known to both sides,” Osasona said.

He said that the essence of the meeting was to create a better society and better relationship between the Police and the citizens.

Mr. Osasona further stated that the meeting was to provide capacity for journalists to understand constitution apparatus of the Police and capacity building for creating a platform for none contentious engagement between the Police and the Citizens.

“We know the power of the Police and the limits of the citizens. it is the duty of the media to keep pushing these bounds.”

“For Police to function effectively and seamlessly, we must collaborate with them for a better society. The collaboration will not happen if the citizens are not aware of what is expected of them by the laws guiding the operation of the Police.”

“It is only when you know your rights that you can challenge the Police when doing the wrong things. The media has a role to play in enlightening the citizens about the 2020 Police Acts,” he said.

Mr. Osasona further said that unlike the 1947 Nigeria Police Act, the 2020 Act  responded to contemplating reality, contemplating practice of the Police and the rules and responsibilities of the Force.

He stated that the meeting was one of the ways to enlightened the media on their responsibilities in bringing to the public  the Police Act 2020/regulation, and promoting awareness on the Act.

The participants expressed the importance of having such town hall meeting, which they described as enriching and will assist in educating and making the members of the public to understand the functions of the Police and work with them better.