IGP introduces manual to help police officers respect human rights

Recently confirmed Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has warned policemen in different commands across the country against excessive reliance on force, adding that human rights would be introduced into the curriculum of all Police training colleges nationwide.

The IGP sounded this warning on Wednesday at the Force headquarters, Abuja while presenting the Human Rights manuals for policemen and Human Rights desk officers, prepared with the support of the CLEEN Foundation, the Swiss Embassy and other foreign missions,

Abba went on to say that the manuals would be issued to all policemen to enable them educate themselves on how to relate with the members of the public while carrying out their responsibilities.

While acknowledging that the Force had always grappled with human rights issue which necessitated the setting up of human rights desks at all Divisional Police stations, the police boss assured that the newly introduced manuals would also aid policemen in knowing and respecting the rights of Nigerians.

His words, “This is not the first time human rights would be introduced by the Police but in addition to past efforts, every officer will be given a manual to guide them; every policemen would get a copy. Excessive use of force must be curtailed and we seek the cooperation of members of the public to achieve this.”

Abba, while reacting to a question on the controversy sparked by the roles of the Police in the ongoing fight against insurgency, stated that the Force had always been part of the war against terrorism. He stressed that policemen were always involved in holding liberated areas, and investigating into bombing incidents.

#IGP