I-G warns officers against violating rights of Nigerians

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris says the police management will sanction any officer who violates the rights of Nigerians.

Idris gave the warning when the Executive Officers of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) visited him in his office in Abuja on Wednesday.

The I-G advised members of the public to always report any policeman who violated their rights to any police command in the states. “If any officer tries to violate your rights, you should inform us and we will take appropriate measures against him,’’ he said.

He urged every police officer to imbibe democratic policing by adhering to the police Act.

The police boss said that there should be dialogue between the police and students at the command level to prevent clashes between them.

He added that the police would have a representative in the association who would liaise with the various police commands and the students.

Idris commended the association for partnering with the police to improve relationship between both parties.

Speaking on bail, the I-G insisted it was free, saying that officers who demand money before granting bail were contravening the police Act.

“Those officers insisting on payment for bail are acting outside the police laws,’’ he said.

He called on the students to support the police in its bid to provide security in the country.

Earlier, the National President of NANS, Mr Kadiri Haruna called for partnership with the police to stem students’ clashes with the police during protests.

He said that most of the peaceful protests organised by the association were sometimes hijacked by bad `eggs’ among the students.

Haruna promised that the association would henceforth arrest and hand over such students to the police for prosecution.

“NANS with partnership with the police will always expose the bad eggs among it,’’ he said.

He said that the association was committed to ending the frequent police clashes with students in the country.

“With the partnership with the police, the arrest and detention of students would be curtailed.’’

Haruna called on the I-G to address the alleged demand of money by personnel of the police for bail when it said it was free.

Our correspondent reports that the association also proposed a“ Police, NANS Partnership for Peace Building’’ during the visit.