Rakiya A.Muhammad
The Ministry of Police Affairs has taken its campaign on Police Public Complaints Committee (PPCC) activities to southeastern Nigeria with a call on the people to refrain from self-help against infractions by “a few deviant personnel.”
The event held at the Hotel Sylvia Limited, Enugu, was to enlighten the people of Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, and the Enugu State on measures taken by the government to enhance police-public relations in Nigeria.
Speaking, Minister of Police Affairs, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, noted it was the climax of the nationwide sensitisation campaign that had gone around other geopolitical zones.
He recalled the resuscitation of PPCC in 2019 was necessitated by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s desire to fully implement Community Policing through collaboration with community stakeholders, adherence to respect for the rule of law and human rights.
The Minister, represented by the Director of the Police Inspectorate Department, Mrs Mary Eleojo, underscored the importance of advancing a systematic shift from a state-centred security approach to a people-centric security paradigm.
“The urgency to return the primacy of the Nigeria Police necessitated the government’s commitment to promoting issues relating to welfare, strict adherence to professionalism, and modernisation of critical policing infrastructure, to sustain the ongoing fight against violent crimes in Nigeria,” he stated.
“The PPCC, which has since become operational, is thus serving as additional layers for citizens to seek redress. Inauguration of the resuscitated PPCC on 7th April 2021 is the sequel to Mr President’s directive to breach gaps between the populace and the police, to elicit confidence and mutual cooperation.”
In a remark, Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman, expressed commitment to bringing orderliness and peace to the nation.
The IGP, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Abaniwonda Olufemi, called on the public to partner with the police by reporting any nefarious activities to the authority.
Also speaking, the traditional Leader, Igwe (Amb.) Lawrence Agubuzu lauded the efforts of the federal government and police in maintaining peace and security in the zone and pledged they would give the necessary support.
He advised the people to take advantage of the Police Public Complaints Committee rather than take the law into their hands whenever they have an infraction by the police personnel.
“We must know that no human organisation is perfect; the police are not exceptional in this respect,” he pointed out.
“We do not want people to be taking the law into their hands. Thus, we need to promote equity, fairness, and justice, and the committee must ensure that nobody is badly treated.”
