By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – A group, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) has tasked Civil Society Organizations( CSOs)
and other human rights crusaders to ensure Nigerians are enlightened on their rights as contained in the 2020 Police Act.

The group in a Town Hall Meeting in Benin City, Edo State with the theme:
“Enhancing Governance: Deepening Understanding of the Police Act 2020”, said its aim was to see that there is public enlightenment on the rights of Nigerians as contained in the Act in the six geopolitical zones, especially in Edo, Kano, Lagos, Enugu, Borno, Plateau and the FCT.

In her remarks, Ms Lucy Taplong James who is the PWAN, Assistant Programme Officer, said the project was to address critical gaps in the understanding and application of the Police Act 2020 and accompanying regulations within the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

She said “PWAN is a non-governmental organization dedicated to enhancing citizens’ participation and improving security governance in Nigeria and West Africa broadly, which we achieve through our Rule of Law, Citizens Security, and CSO strengthening Program Areas.

“The organization does this through research, collaborative advocacy, capacity building, dissemination of information and integrating implementation of government policies such as United Nations Resolution 1325, Women Peace and Security Second Generation National Action Plan ( NAP2), Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism National Action Plan (P/CVE NAP), Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law (ACJA/L), UN Resolution 2250 amongst others which are complementary to our strategic Objectives.

“PWAN with support from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is implementing this project , which seeks to address critical gaps in the understanding and application of the Police Act 2020 and accompanying regulations within the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

One of the project’s activities she said is to promote awareness of citizens’ rights under the Police Act 2020, “allowing us to address the gap in public knowledge regarding human rights and the provisions of the Police Act 2020. Many citizens remain unaware of their rights under the Act, and as a result, may lack the confidence to hold the police accountable for misconduct or abuses of power.” She said.

Also, the facilitators, Dr Isioma Kemakolam said the Personnel of Nigerian Police are burdened with so much as lack of motivation,poor service condition, unconducive work environment and lack of retraining and urged the Nigerian Government to provide for the police what they need to work effectively.