Police officers have been warned against trampling on the rights of the citizenry.
The coordinating deputy inspector-general of police for the Southwest, Mr Abiodun Alabi, said this would earn the police officers the people’s trust and confidence.
The DIG, who spoke yesterday in Ado Ekiti during a familiarisation visit to Ekiti State Police Command, also urged the police to collaborate with critical stakeholders to rid the state of crimes and criminalities.
The former Lagos and Bauchi states commissioner of police, who also interfaced with stakeholders like PCRC, labour unions, students, ethnic groups, religious leaders, and community leaders, urged them to embrace the community to make society safe.
He said, “I want to appeal to all our officers that the only way you can earn the trust and confidence of the members of the public is by treating them as human beings.
“I am an advocate of human rights and I abhor completely any breach or abuse of fundamental human rights of our people. We cannot continue to trample on and think they will continue supporting or assisting you in your policing strategies or plans. Abuse of human rights is one of the negative narratives or perceptions that the members of the public have about the Nigeria Police Force.
“We observe human rights. In fact, it is one of our cardinal duties in our Police Act of 2020 as amended, that you must protect human rights. So, if it is one of your cardinal duties, you have no choice than to conform with the provision by protecting human rights instead of abusing it.
“If we treat our fellow human beings with the dignity they deserve, we will earn their trust and confidence, and they will be ever willing to partner with you to succeed in policing”.
Speaking further on the importance of the collaboration with the critical stakeholders, he said, “I want to corroborate the CP with statistics at my disposal, that Ekiti state is the most peaceful state in the country.’’
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