The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, has urged officers and men of the command to strictly respect the fundamental rights of suspects in their custody as enshrined in the Constitution and other legal frameworks guiding the police profession.

Danjuma gave this advice at the weekly in-house refresher training organised by the command for personnel on the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, at the Command’s headquarters, yesterday.

The CP warned that officers found culpable of violating rights of suspects and citizens in the state under his leadership would not escape appropriate sanction, stating that “respect for human rights in the line of duty is non-negotiable.”

He reiterated the IGP’s unwavering commitment to accountability, professionalism and continuous training of personnel to reposition the police for effective and people-oriented service delivery.

The police boss further solicited the public’s continued support and collaboration in achieving adequate security in the state, while urging them to report officers involved in any act of unprofessionalism or violation of their human rights.

Earlier in a lecture entitled, ‘Human Rights Issues: Handling of Suspects and Other Citizens to Ensure No Breach of Human Rights Occurs’, the Chief Principal Security Officer to the Government of Imo State, CSP Shaba Adamu, said respecting the rights of suspects is vital in ensuring justice and a better society.

Adamu emphasised that the lecture focused on educating officers and men of the command on the importance of civility, restraint and professionalism in their interactions with members of the public, especially during arrests, interrogations, patrols and other law enforcement duties.

He highlighted that respect for human dignity must guide all police operations, and that any breach of fundamental rights not only undermines the image of the police but also invites legal and disciplinary consequences.

Highlighting the provisions of international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), he urged officers to be guided by the Police Act 2020, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), and internal Force Orders in all their dealings with suspects and citizens.

The lecture was attended by the management team of the command along with tactical team commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) as well as officers and men from all the units, and divisions across the state.