'International Human Rights Standards and Trends in Community-Driven Policing'

Speech by IGP, Solomon Arase

It is with a deep sense of professional fulfillment that I welcome you all to this seminar and book launch. This programme is in furtherance to the 2016 Nigeria Police Week Celebrations.

2.  The uniqueness of this event rests, firstly, on the theme of the Seminar which is “International Human Rights Standards and Trends in Community-Driven Policing”. Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, policing under a democratic setting imposes a sacred and indeed, legal obligation of respect for citizens’ rights on law enforcement agents, particularly, Police personnel who are the prime security actors in the internal security architecture of the country. It is for this reason that rule of law and human rights-driven policing approaches were espoused as a critical component of my six-points Strategic Policing Plan on my assumption of responsibility as the Inspector-General of Police.

3.   Today’s event, which will witness presentations by egg heads and seasoned legal minds on human rights and policing-related topics presents a distinct opportunity to make a clear statement that the transition of the Nigeria Police from a Force that infringes on the rights of its citizens with impunity to one that is conscious and sensitive to the need to respect citizens’ rights in the discharge of their duties has indeed commenced. 

4.   Secondly, today’s event will also witness the launch of a compendium entitled “Nigeria Police Force (1861 – 2016): Establishment Profile“. The compendium documents the nearly 145 Years history of the Nigeria Police and recognizes the strategic police actors that have guided the evolution of the Nigeria Police Forcefrom colonial days to modern times.

5.  Thecompendium straightens the history of the Nigeria Police for record and reference purposes. The essence is for us to tell our story for posterity sake. This is in recognition of the fact that any institution that fails to recognize and document its history stands the danger of creating a historical vacuum which will engender distorted narration of its evolution.

6.   So, Ladies and Gentlemen, this gathering essentially strives to entrench the virtues of rule of law in policing as well as recognize, articulate and present our rich history and policing journey. It is in furtherance of my determination to bequeath to this nation a reformed Police Force that is proud of its history and ready to face its future within the dictates of rule of law.

7.   It is against this background that I wish to welcome you all and appreciate you for honouring our invitation. I am confident that your presence has added value to my policing vision as being manifested in today’s event. I trust that you will play active roles in the seminar as well as avail yourselves copies of the Human Rights Handbook and compendium as they remain invaluable publications.

8.  I am indeed confident that the Protocols which have been developed and captured in the ‘Operational Manual of International Human Rights Protocols and Guidelines’will serve the intended purpose of locating police operations within global human rights and professional dictates. These Protocols cover Police Investigation, Police Arrest, Police Detention, Use of Force and Firearms, Management of Civil Disorder, Protection of Juveniles, Protection of Women, Protection of Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, Police Command and Management, Community Policing, and Policing in a Constitutional Democracy, among others.

9. On this note, I pray that whatever knowledge that is gained here today will elevate our understanding of our human rights obligations to the citizens we all swore to serve and protect as police officers. It is also my expectation that today’s engagement will produce outcomes that will guide us as informed police officers in our interactions with members of the public and in the discharge of our Mandate.

10. Conversely, I anticipate that at the end of this event, citizens will avail themselves copies of the Compendium on the history of the Nigeria Police that will soon be launched to appreciate the strategic actors that have driven the history of the Nigeria Police from colonial era to modern times.

11. I also anticipate that Nigerians will engage the ‘Operational Manual of International Human Rights Protocols and Guidelines for the Nigeria Police Police’ which is also being launched today as a template that they can make reference to in holding their police accountable for their professional actions or inactions.

12. It is on this note that I wish to affirm my immense appreciation to our consultants and partners who have worked assiduously with the Force leadership to advance our collective vision for a human rights-friendly and historically conscious Police Force. These great personalities have sacrificed their time, energy and intellectual assets to aid the publication of the two invaluable works being launched today.

13. In this regard, permit me to mention, in particular, Prof. Mike Ihkariale, Prof. EtannibiAlemika, Mr. MonimaDaminabo, and the Chairman as well as members of the 2016 Police Week Organising Committee.

14. To our invaluable guests, I remain immensely appreciative of your consistent motivation and look forward to the sustenance of your support for me and for a Nigeria Police Force that is in transition to modernity.

15. May you all remain richly blessed.