The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, says the reform of the Police Force have commenced in earnest and that the Federal Government have absorbed all the demands of the #EndSARS protesters.
The minister said this during a courtesy call by the Deputy high commissioner, Gill Atkinson of the British high commission in his office on Tuesday.
According to him, government is seeking for youth involvement and cooperation to ensure the process of the reform of the police is perfected.
“State governors have been directed to immediately establish a state-based Special Security and Human Rights Committee to be chaired by the governors in their states, to supervise the newly formed police tactical units and all other security agencies located in the state.”
“The idea of the Special Security and Human Rights Committee in all states of the federation and the FCT is to ensure that police formations and other security agencies in the state consistently protect the human rights of citizens.” He said
The minister also disclosed that members of the Special Committee would also include representatives of youths and civil society. The head of police tactical units in each of the states would also be a member of the committee. Each state government is to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry; the panel is to be chaired by a retired High Court Judge, with other members selected by the state governor as follows:
*Two representatives of Civil Society groups
*One Retired Police Officer of high repute
*One Youth Representative
*One Student Representative
*One Representative of the State Attorney-General and a representative from the National Human Rights Commission.
He said already, seven states have complied with the directive of the federal government and more are willing. He said further that training has commenced today on the new Special weapon and tactics Team (SWAT) which he will personally supervise.
According to the minister, a five-year strategic plan for the reform of the police is underway and all machineries have been put in place for the functioning of the Police Trust Fund despite some court cases that is threatening to slow the process.
Speaking earlier, the Deputy British High Commissioner, Gill Atkinson said, the British government has always and is willing to continually support the federal government, particularly in the area of policing.
She suggested the need for clear and different form of training to the new SWAT TEAM was important and cautioned on the use of force against the protesters and seeks the support of the ministry towards programmes and activities of the British government towards policing in Nigeria.
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