Assent to Police Bill will reflect your commitment to improving security – CSOs to Buhari

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Police Bill with the urgency that the subject matter demands.

They noted that the passage and assent to the Bill by the President will reflect the administration’s commitment to improving policing and public security in the country.

In a joint statement signed by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Nigeria Policing Program (NPP), Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), AIG James Olatunji Caulcrick, State of the Union (SOTU), and Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC) and delivered by Programme Manager, CISLAC, Okeke Anya, the group said the Bill will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges in policing framework and practice, including the recent extra-judicial activities of some operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies.

The statement read: “There has been a persistent outcry over some behaviour of some of our law enforcement operatives.  The recent killings in Lagos and other parts of the country are very fresh in our memories and we commiserate with families and friends of the victims of these incidents. We must say, however, that the killings are a stark reminder of where we are with efforts to reform policing in Nigeria”

The group commended the passage of the Police Act Amendment Bill by the Senate and urged the House of Representatives to do same without delay.
They also commended the National Assembly for passing the Police Trust Fund Bill and affirmed support to the Police in building the capacity and honing the skills of officers, men and women of the force.