FG urged to increase police funding

The Federal Government has been advised to increase the budgetary allocation of the Nigeria Police Force in order to enhance the effectiveness of its officers and men.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a human rights training the trainers’ workshop held in Kaduna on Saturday.

The communiqué was signed by Dr Uju Agomoh and ACP Ambrose Onah on behalf of the organisers and participants of the workshop.

It also called for the training and retraining of officers and men of the force and all other agencies involved in the administration of justice and maintenance of law.

It urged authorities and other relevant agencies to protect the rights of officers and men with improved conditions of service, pension and insurance.

It also called on police officers to conduct themselves, whether on or off duty in line with the Nigerian Constitution, the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and all applicable laws.

According to the law, Police Officers shall not compromise their integrity nor that of the Force by accepting, giving or soliciting any gratuity, which could be interpreted as capable of influencing their official acts or judgments.

``That the Police Force should encourage and promote child friendly policing practices while enhancing the protective role of police officers and improving access to justice for children.

``Police officers shall mainstream gender into their duties particularly in protecting the rights of women and other vulnerable groups,” it stated.

The meeting, according to the communique, also reiterated the need for officers to treat all members of the public courteously and with respect.

The capacity building training was aimed at enlightening men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force on the need to promote and protect human rights in the discharge of their duties.

It was coordinated by Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action and supported by the German Corporation for International Cooperation.

The workshop was also supported by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Government, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

Participants at the workshop include instructors from all the nine Police Training Institutions in Northern Nigeria and officers from the Department of Training and Development of the Police Headquarters.

Members of the Civil Society Organisations and representatives of the media were also in attendance.