ENDSARS Memorial: 9 Things FG Has Asked Security Leadership To Do
With the intensified uproar for the eradication of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad that birthed the #ENDSARS protest, the Nigerian government has made some demands from the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
These demands made by the National Economic Council highlights the need for improved efficiency of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in the country.
The demand of NEC was made public by the minister of information, culture and tourism, Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday, October 20, during a press conference in commemoration of the 2020 #ENDSARS protest anniversary.
Source: UGC
According to Mohammed, NEC also issued an advisory for the #ENDSARS protesters to seek other means of engaging with the government rather than adopting protests.
Some of the measures the police leadership has been asked to adopt are to
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1. Psychiatric tests for all arms-bearing security personnel
NEC has mandated all the security leadership to ensure that every person recruited into the bearing of arms undergo psychiatric evaluation and drug test before enlistment. The council also advised that these tests be carried out periodically after enlistment to ensure that the personnel are psychologically fit to carry live weapons.
In addition, there should be room to identify behavioural tendencies that may require psycho-social interventions.
2. Observation of security rules of engagement
Every personnel of security agencies in Nigeria must adhere to the rules of engagement in the discharge of their duties around the civilian populace.
3. Strengthen the security apparatus for accountability
The leadership of all security agencies should work towards strengthening police accountability through the Police Service Commission, sustain improved funding and budgetary allocation to the Nigeria Police Force and other securities agencies and lift the ban on the recruitment of police officers.
The council urged that priority be given to the general welfare of police officers and personnel of other security agencies.
It also advocated the review of pension and gratuity of retired police officers and attainment of parity of remuneration by police officers with sister security agencies.
4. Comprehensive Assessment of all Police stations
The leadership of the security agencies are expected to undertake a comprehensive assessment of all police stations across the country with a view to ensuring that they are fit for purpose.
5. Deploy cutting edge technology
Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies should deploy cutting-edge technology in the fight against crimes.
6. Prioritise training of personnel
Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies are expected to be in line with the mandatory training provisions of the Police Act 2020 by prioritizing the training of Police officers.
This should be done also in line with procedures for the entrenchment of Human Rights Provisions guaranteed by the Constitution and on the professional handling of weapons.
7. Expedite fair hearing for all #ENDSARS protesters
All those detained by the Police as a result of the EndSars protests are expeditiously processed with due regard to the principles of fair hearing.
8. Strengthening of security complaints/ petition desks
The system established within the Nigeria Police Force for receipt and handling of complaints or petitions is strengthened, and all police officers on duty should be in police-approved uniform with their full names and force numbers boldly written for easy identification.
9. Community policing
The States should, as resolved by NEC properly utilize and support the community policing programme of the Federal Government, with active collaborative efforts and participation of traditional rulers, elders, youths, vigilante groups among others.
They should also establish standing committees under States Ministries of Justice to address human rights violations on a continuous basis; and take measures aimed at flushing out miscreants squatting in uncompleted buildings, and other blackout spots that serve as hideouts for criminals.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that #ENDSARS protesters their scores hit the streets of Abuja in commemoration of the October 20, 2020 protest that led to the killing of many Nigerians.
Although the protest is taking place in various other states across the country, the Abuja team have gathered at the Unity Fountain in demand for an end to police brutality, extra-judicial killings, improved welfare for police personnel among many other.
The Abuja #ENDSARS protesters were said to have marched from the Unity Fountain to various streets across the city and then the National Assembly.
Source: Legit.ng
