Human rights protection among police officers was given a boost on Thursday following the graduation of more than 100 policemen in human rights courses.
The police officers, attached to the Lagos State Police Command, attended a 13 weeks programme in human rights studies.
The training programme, also known as the Course 15, was organised by the Crime Victims Foundation, a non for profit organisation in collaboration with the Lagos State Police Command.
The training programme is principally to educate police officers and civilians on human rights and its violation.
In her opening speech, Gloria Ebuji, the Executive Director of the Crime Victims Foundation, stated that training policemen in human rights studies will enhance their peaceful existence with other Nigerians.
Ebuji said: “This is the graduation of the 15th batch of policemen trained human rights officers.
“The Nigeria Police remains cardinal in our socio-economic and peaceful existence and such every effort must be geared at having the best police officers who are human rights compliant, accountable, proactive and result-oriented in all actions.”
Ebuji also called for improved working conditions for policemen, adding: “Nigeria police is in dire need of support as we are unable to see much of the impact of our training on them because of the poor condition of service given to the officers and men.
“The Force lacks adequate logistics for forensic science investigation and welfare.
“In this era of high tech crimes, the police is left helpless when cases that forensic science will crack with ease is left to be dealt with through torture, beating and other degrading and inhuman treatments as a way of discovering the truth, an action that violates the second most important provision of human rights – the rights to dignity of human person, which is non negotiable at all times.”
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, stated that the human rights training programme is in line with the transformation agenda of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to ensure a people-friendly police.
Manko said: “The human rights training will assist our officers and men to be people focused and humane when they are dealing with civilians.
“It will build their capacity to respond to the challenge of upholding the rights of all.”
The high point of the graduation was the presentation of certificates and awards.
One of awards was presented to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Tom Ateke.
High Chief Ateke Tom was presented the award of “The Peace Ambassador of the Niger Delta Region.”
Ateke, in his reaction to the award, stated that peace and human rights were veritable tools in forging social cohesion and progress.
Francis Duru, a Nollywood actor, who spoke on behalf of Ateke, also stated that the “Tom Good” Foundation, established by the ex-militant leader, will partner with human rights organisations and the police in ensuring that Nigerians live in an environment where their rights are upheld and protected.
He said: “We all know that education and training are needed in enhancing human rights.
“The Tom Ateke Foundation has been benevolent in helping people out of poverty and training them.
“Peace and progress will reign in this country if people are educated and they know their rights.”
The Lagos State Police Command has the highest number of police officers of ranks of Constable to Chief Superintendent of Police that attended the human rights training.
Over 7,700 policemen have participated in the training, which is in line with Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution.
Areas covered in the training included: Basic human rights standards, investigative interviewing, humanitarian laws, witnesses and suspects of human rights abuse, alternative dispute resolution, code of conduct of law enforcement officials, effective communication skills, among others.
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