The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, said the era of arresting and detaining people based on mere suspicion was over.
Arase made the remark during a familiarisation tour to the Kaduna State Police Command in Kaduna on Tuesday.
He said it was high time police officers cultivated the habit of being civil and respectful while carrying out their duties to the public.
“You should respect the rights of the people and be civil while dealing with the public.
“The idea of carrying people on suspicion and keeping them in the cell is long over gone.
“I do not subscribe to that and I tell officers that if you don’t have any evidence, don’t put anyone in custody.
“There must be evidence that the person has committed an offence”, he said.
The police boss, while advising officers to ensure strict adherence to the rule of law, said they must respect the views and feelings of the public they served.
“The police must be able to win the heart of every Nigerian as this is the only way to get sufficient information from members of the public, as every officer must be seen to be a person of integrity”, he said.
Arase charged the public to promptly report any police officer who might have intimidated them to the relevant Divisional Police Officer.
He promised that the police would continue to fight crime and protect lives and property of the people.
“Nigerians should be rest assured that criminals will not be allowed to overtake the system”, he said.
Earlier, Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Shehu, said the command was facing by inadequate logistics and lack of accommodation for officers.
Shehu also called for reintroduction of dry ration for men on operation, better welfare packages and the establishment of additional area commands and divisional police headquarters within Kaduna metropolis.
“Population growth, urbanisation and infrastructure development have brought the need for increased police presence and effective crime control.
“There is need for two area command offices at Jere town and Sabon Tasha in Kaduna Metro”, he said.
He also mentioned Kuyelo in Birnin Gwari, Kidaandan in Giwa and Dakaci, on Zaria road, as areas in need of divisional police headquarters. (NAN) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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come who even arrest that Biafra leader? abi that one no be unlawful detention?
ReplyDeleteAs regards the Radio Biafra director Kanu, there was ample evidence of crime - He repeatedly made seditious broadcasts, inciting the public against the Nigerian state. He was not arrested for wanting to have Biafra.
DeleteStories that touch!!! Have they been able to stick with the simple instruction of no longer mounting check points on the road?? Mr Inspector General, even a 10 year old kid wouldn't believe this tales by moonlight story.
ReplyDeleteNigrria! We have a long way to go. I remember when I just finished secondary school prepairing for jam, I went to visit my friend that we study together, as I was leaving the compound, a man stopped me with long gun on his side told me to quietly enter inside the volks wagon bus, I tried to explain he refused, even when the people in the compound rushed out to explain my innocence he raised a violent hands. These guys are police guys from nearby police station in that area. I was no searched or questioned for anything just like that I found myself in police station. They took me arround the area picking sone other young innocent people arround 8pm telking us they arrested us gor wondering. My friend's compund people came to the police station and I discovered that this guys (police) were doing that for money exploitation.
ReplyDeleteAnother encounter was in the morning I was going for an occasion with my video camera which I was using for business with my original receipt, these guys (police) drunk smelling alcohol arrested me in similar commercial volks wagon "danfo", they refused to look at my receipt, not until my brother followed them with his car, stopped them before I was released with money they took from my brother. Nigeria isca pathetic country. What about innocent once who havedied in the hands of some of ythese miscreants called police. This same me have lived abroad for many years without police problems rather police are really true friends of citizens and visitors in some really civilised countries.