NHRC, Police Promote Human Rights To Rebuild Public Trust

Nigeria’s drive to reform its policing system gathered fresh momentum on Friday as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other key stakeholders launched a renewed campaign to stamp out torture, arbitrary arrests and other human rights abuses by embedding rights-based policing into everyday law enforcement operations.

The renewed push came during a Strategic Town Hall Meeting on “Embedding Human Rights Standards into Everyday Police Operations” held in Abuja, where Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and frontline police commanders were challenged to make respect for human rights the cornerstone of policing, warning that public trust and national security depend on professional, accountable and lawful conduct.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (OFR, SAN), the Commission’s Head of Civil and Political Rights Department, Halilu Adamu, described the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing police reform agenda.

He commended the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector-General of Police for strengthening collaboration with the Commission, saying the partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to building a modern police force that effectively combats crime while safeguarding citizens’ constitutional rights.

According to Ojukwu, Divisional Police Officers occupy a strategic position in the justice system because police stations remain the first point of contact between citizens and government, making their conduct central to public confidence in law enforcement.

He identified the recent unveiling of the Police Regulations 2025 and the inauguration of the NHRC-NPF Liaison Framework by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as landmark reforms aimed at transforming police accountability across the country.

The NHRC boss explained that the liaison framework establishes a direct operational channel between human rights monitors and police commanders, enabling real-time monitoring of complaints, faster resolution of alleged abuses, stronger institutional oversight and improved compliance with both national and international human rights standards.

He said the framework equally provides operational guidance that enables officers to perform their constitutional duties effectively without violating the rights of citizens.

Ojukwu noted that under Sections 5 and 6 of the NHRC Act, the Commission is legally empowered to inspect detention facilities, monitor detention conditions, review police operational procedures, organise capacity-building programmes and recommend corrective measures where violations are identified.

He stressed that the Commission should be seen not as an adversary of the police but as a statutory partner working to protect both citizens’ rights and the professional integrity of law enforcement agencies.

Calling for a fundamental shift in policing culture, Ojukwu urged officers to abandon confession-driven investigations in favour of intelligence-led, evidence-based and rights-compliant policing, insisting that such an approach would significantly reduce allegations of torture, unlawful detention and other human rights violations while shielding officers from legal liabilities.

He maintained that effective policing and respect for human rights are mutually reinforcing, arguing that no security system can succeed where citizens lack confidence in those entrusted with enforcing the law.

In his goodwill message, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7 Headquarters, AIG Benneth Igweh, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the NHRC in advancing procedural justice and rights-based policing across the country.

The Inspector-General commended the NHRC, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and Partners West Africa Nigeria for spearheading the multi-phase dialogue aimed at strengthening compliance with the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and other constitutional safeguards protecting the rights of Nigerians.

He expressed confidence that the engagement would produce practical recommendations capable of accelerating the ongoing reform agenda of the Nigeria Police Force and entrenching a policing system that respects the rule of law while effectively tackling crime.

The police chief also acknowledged the contributions of the Commission and its development partners in reducing human rights complaints against security agencies and improving public confidence in policing.

He assured stakeholders of the Force’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property in accordance with the Constitution and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The strategic town hall attracted senior officials of the NHRC, the Police Service Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, civil society organisations, development partners and the media, all united in charting practical pathways towards institutionalising human rights standards in police operations nationwide.