The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has directed the immediate designation of all Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) across Zonal and State Commands as National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Liaison Officers.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
TheFact Nigeria gathers that the directive came on the heels of the visit of the Chairperson, Governing Council of NHRC, Dr. Salamatu Husseini Suleimana andother council members to the Force Headquarters on Wednesday.
Discourse between both heads centered on engendering human rights practices and ensuring better interface between the Police and the NHRC in a bid to facilitate prompt responses to matters of human rights abuse while ensuring top-notch professionalism on the part of both institutions.
The NHRC Chairperson, while recognizing the Nigeria Police Force as a key partner in the actualization of its mandate of promoting, protecting, and enforcing human rights, discussed the possibility of having contact persons at the various police commands for effective handling of human rights related cases.
The Police Chief in response to the request, designated ACPs with a mandate to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Laws (ACJA/ACJL) during investigations, interrogations, and gathering of evidence, and the resuscitation of Human Rights Desks in State Police Commands nationwide.
IGP Baba charged the NHRC to instruct their officials in charge of various States, to constantly work hand-in-hand with the Police Liaison Officers for seamless collaboration and laudable results.
While assuring of his administration’s commitment to the achievement of improved human-rights driven policing in line with his policing agenda, IGP Baba expressed willingness to cement the already established collaboration with the NHRC to fast track reforms that will enhance public trust and confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
