NOPRIN holds public tribunals against police brutality

The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), on Monday, held public tribunals against police brutality and abuse of human rights violations by the Nigeria Police Force.

Recall that, two years after youths marched through the streets and major roads in the country in protest against brutalities by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigeria Police Force ‘now disbanded’.

Executive Secretary of, the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this in Abuja, at the 2-day Public Tribunal on Police Accountability and Brutality for the North-Central zone, organized by the NOPRIN, in collaboration with the NHRC and Police Service Commission (PSC).

Ojukwu, was represented by Nsemo Etuk, note that the NOPRIN initiatives would meet its objectives to eradicate all forms of Police brutality.

NHRC boss commended the management of NOPRIN for coming up with the laudable initiatives aimed at complimenting the numerous activities of ensuring that citizens have respect for human rights.

He said: “The section 6 2010 amendment Act of the commission empowers the discharge of its mandates to collaborate with both local, and international organizations geared toward promotion and protection of human rights.

“It is, therefore, in fulfilment of this mandate that the commission usually collaborate with a non-governmental organization like NOPRIN for an organization to leverage on the fact that it has offices across the 36 States of the federation engaging others stakeholders on the fight against abuse of human right and withstand by them.”

In his remarks, the National Coordinator, of NOPRIN, Mr Emmanuel Ikule, lamented at the rate at which police officers commit extra-judicial killings of civilians.

He calls on victims of police brutality to air their views and grievances, in order to get help out in reforming of police.

Also, the Commissioner representing Human Rights at the Police Service Commission (PSC), Rommy Mom, condemned the police brutality and added that any police officers that missed the uniforms and power given to them will be held accountable.

He said: “When you step up to any country, the law enforcement agents you meet are the first person to give you an idea of the kind of country you are in. So, either they are friendly or aggressive, and for that moment, it tells you if the country is friendly with its citizens. First impressions do matter.”

However, the Executive Director, of Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, Njemanze Dorothy, condemned the rising brutality and alleged human rights violations by the Nigeria Police Force in the country.