Dr. Solomon Arase
By Anietie Akpan
Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police has harped on the need for nternational human rights based policing.
Accordingto a press release by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, Arase said this in a training workshop organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross on international Human Rights based policing and effective oversight for staff of the Commission in Abuja Tuesday, May 7th 2024. The workshop is organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police who declared the workshop open, said the imperativeness of the workshop can not be over-emphasized in view of the need for the Commission to optimally discharge its duty as the statutorily empowered executive body of government to oversight the Police.
Dr. Arase noted that the Commission cannot effectively deliver on its mandate if its Staff are not properly equipped with requisite knowledge on Police oversight and accountability.
Dr. Arase who was represented by his Special Assistant ACP Ogbonna Nwota said the training programme will in no small measure help in repositioning the Commission towards greater efficiency and effectiveness in the discharge of its duties.
He observed that the Nigeria Police Force as the primary Agency of Government empowered for the maintenance of law and order in our society “in the course of performing these statutory functions has often times been accused of corruption, high-handedness, biased investigation and infractions of human rights of the people”.
This the PSC Chairman noted underscores the essence of an oversight body over the Police in Nigeria as it is obtainable in other climes in line with international best practices.
Dr. Arase said oversighting the Police aims at ensuring transparency, effectiveness, legitimacy, responsibility and accountability of the Police to the Policed”.
He implored the staff to be attentive during the training and ensure “you learn, re-learn and unlearn (if need be) different issues and nuances on human rights and policing in our contemporary society.
He expressed appreciation to the International Council of Red Cross for collaborating with the Commission and assisting “us train our staff. ” Your collaborative efforts in the Commission, in rebirthing a Police Force in Nigeria that is accountable, responsible and carries its duties in adherence to global best practices and respect for human rights is commendable and appreciated “.