A training for all officers of the Police Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on human rights protection, citizens’ relation and grassroots collaboration has commenced throughout the country.
The training, which is holding at all the twelve Police Zonal Command of the federation was declared open today at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The training is a joint program by the Nigerians Unite Against Terror (NUAT) movement and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to inculcate human rights protection in the operations of all officers of the SARS nationwide. Leader of the NUAT, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin in her welcome address said the training is an imperative in order to improve the operations of SARS officers due to disturbing reports of gross human rights violations by the SARS officers. Dr. Okei-Odumakin said police abuses have caused citizens to withdraw their trusts and support for the Police authority, and thereby resorting to self security and mob actions among other personal improvisations. She emphasized that the situation has also caused the public to perceive the Police as enemies rather than as friends of the citizens, a situation she also said has created a wide gap between the public an the police.
She described the training, which will last nearly one week as the panacea to inculcating respect for human rights in the SARS officers during course of their operations, and by extension restore confidence of the citizens in the police authority. The prominent Civil Society activist said the Police-Citizens relation is an important factor for effective national security.
Addressing the gathering of participants and resource persons today, the Police Inspector General, IGP Ibrahim Idris who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of SARS, DIG Habila Joshak said the Force had been inundated with negative public comments about activities of several errant Police officers. The IGP also stated that it is significant that the major critics of the Police Force on officers’ misconducts, that is the Civil Society is collaborating with the Force on the training and reorientation mission.
Present at the opening were members of the Police Management Team who include the DIG’s S.L. Gambo; Habila Joshak; Maigari Dikko; Hycent Dagala; Emmanuel Inyang; Valentine Ntomchukwu and Folusho Adebanjo.
The training was declared open by the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, who was represented by the Director of Police Services, Dr. Bala Ahmad.
Photos from the #FSARS training in Lagos:
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