By Chinedu Adonu

A non-governmental organisation, the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has called on the Nigeria Police Force to uphold the dignity of citizens in line with the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act 2020, as amended.

The call was made on Tuesday by the Executive Director of the Open Society on Justice Reform Project, Mr. Samuel Akpologun, during a two-day Police Leadership Training on compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, held in Enugu for senior police officers. The training was organised by PWAN.

Akpologun, who presented a paper titled “The Police: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities,” condemned acts of torture, intimidation, and the degrading treatment of suspects in the course of police duties. He stressed that suspects could be arrested without intimidation or molestation.

He explained that the workshop was organised to update police personnel on the provisions of the Police Act 2020, which mandates periodic education and enlightenment of officers on their roles and responsibilities.

“Generally, the law requires periodic capacity building to ensure a more professional and capable police force. This workshop is aimed at increasing the capacity of senior officers who command various formations to effectively implement the progressive provisions of the law,” he said.

Akpologun noted that beyond training, there was a need to reform the mindset of police personnel to align with the upgraded legal framework.

“When the mindset is upgraded alongside the law, the police will be able to leverage the reforms embedded in the Act. But if the mindset is not upgraded, there will be a conflict between police conduct and the law,” he added.

Speaking at the event, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Bitrus Giwa, said a good understanding of the Police Act would enable officers to perform their duties more effectively and in line with international best practices.

Giwa, who was represented by CSP Ugwueke Ifeanyichukwu, Officer in Charge of Human Rights, SCID, Enugu, described the Police Act 2020 as a social contract that defines the responsibilities of the Force.

“The Police Act 2020 builds in us a sense of responsibility. Compliance with its provisions will enable us to perform our duties in a manner that meets international best practices,” he said.

He added that the police must operate strictly within the law to earn public trust, stressing that law enforcement officers must themselves be law-abiding.

A resource person and facilitator at the training, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, said periodic capacity building would enhance professionalism and strengthen public trust in the police.

“One of the key innovations of the Police Act 2020 is the provision for training and retraining. This is essential for building a police force that operates lawfully, is accountable, and guided by democratic policing principles,” he said.

Nwanguma noted that the training targeted middle-level officers who occupy command positions and supervise junior officers, making them critical to enforcing compliance with the Act.

The convener of the workshop, Ms. Kemi Okeyode, Executive Director of the Board of Management of PWAN, said the Police Act 2020 offers an opportunity to address longstanding challenges in policing.

Represented by Ms. Hamidat Oyadeke, Okeyode said Nigeria’s policing system has historically faced challenges such as allegations of corruption, excessive use of force, and weak community relations.

“To address these issues, PWAN, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is implementing the project ‘Enhancing Police Trust and Gender-Responsive Policing in Nigeria Through the Effective Implementation of the Police Act’ across the six geopolitical zones,” she said.

She added that the project focuses on capacity building for senior police officers, public sensitisation on the provisions of the Act, and improved motivation and welfare of police personnel.

According to her, the initiative will improve awareness of police reforms among officers and citizens and strengthen the application of human rights as provided for in the Police Act 2020.