The Deputy Inspector General of Police, South West geopolitical Zone, Silvester Abiodun Alabi, has called on the personnel of the Nigeria police force to always uphold and protect the human rights of the citizens.
Alabi made the call on Thursday, during an official visit to Osun state, said protection of human rights is part of their responsibility as police.
He charged them to be friendly with people and comply with the rule of law, urging them to be professional while performing their duties.
According to him, “We have to change the negative narrative, the narrative must change, the perception must be changed and the only way to change the narrative from the mind of the general public is for us to change bad attitudes and corruption.
“Officers, I can assure you that it will pay you better to be a man of integrity than for people to see you as a corrupt officer. By the time you become people friendly you earn the truth and confidence of the members of the public.
“You must uphold the human rights of the citizens, as it is in the Police Act 2020, and protect human rights as part of our activities.
“You will become people-friendly when you comply with the rule of law.
“Somebody has not committed an offense and arrested by proxy because his brother has committed an offense its against the administration criminal justice 2015 has amended. Instead of arresting his/her mother or father and saying I want to use him as a soft target to the main target, there is nothing like that go to a main target and stop harassing the soft target as the main target who has not committed any offense.
“The question I will ask you is what is the man doing for you in the cell for over-detaining? Somebody has been arrested for an offense committed is it a bailable offense? yes if it is a bailable offence release him on bail to a reliable surety and continue with your investigation. But some of us are unrepentant who enjoy in victims’ pains unnecessarily. After 48 hours release the person on bail or charge him to court,” he added.
