Mr Bala Hassan, an Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 2, on Thursday assured the public of a more courteous police that would respect the dignity and Human Rights of individuals. Speaking in Lagos at the graduation of 74 policemen trained on human rights, the AIG said that the Nigeria Police was becoming more public-friendly in the discharge of its duties.

“Very soon, you will see the change in our policemen, talking to civilians with courtesy,” he said.

The AIG said that the police had embarked on a series of training in line with the thrust of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase’s respect for the rights of the citizens.

“I want to assure you that this course will go a long way in assisting our men in the way they relate with the public,” the AIG said.

He commended the training coordinators for “helping the Nigeria Police to grow and develop to serve the people better.”

“In another way, you are helping Nigeria Police to grow and develop in a way that will serve not only Nigerians, but the comity of nations.

“This certificate may look simple but I can assure you it will open windows of opportunities for you after you leave the service.

“The United Nations always needs officers who specialise in human rights for international assignments, so this certificate will assist you no matter the certificate you already have,” the AIG said.

He assured that many police formations would embrace the project by the end of the year, with the approval of the IG.

Mrs Glory Egbuje, Project Coordinator, Police Human Rights Project, a non-governmental organization, said that the three-month training drew participants from the ranks of Constable to Chief Superintendents of Police.

Egbuje said that Police Human Rights Project, which was established in 2006, had encouraged the establishment of human rights desks in all the Police Divisions in Lagos State.

“We have also started running the program for civilians; other zones should catch up on this training since it is one of the IG’s cardinal point,” she added.

One of the participants, SP Abubakar Abdul-Kareem, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the courses taken included Human Rights, Introduction to Domestic Violence and Child Rights Law.

“This is a very good programme at a time when the police are advocating issues of police being your friend.

“We are living in an era when people are becoming aware of their rights.
“In a democratic dispensation, how well the police perform, depicts the level of advancement in the practice of democracy in the country,” he said.

Source: Vanguard