No going back on police reforms, says FG

By Peter Usman”//

Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari has reiterated the commitment of the federal government in implementing the police reforms with a view to making the security agency more effective and efficient in discharging its duties.

Maigari, according to a statement by the

Head of Press & Public Relations Unit of the ministry, Bolaji O. Kazeem, gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the German Federal Ministry Mission to Nigeria with the Global Security Sector Reform Foundation team led by the Deputy Director for West and Central Africa, German Federal Foreign Office, Mr. Alexandre Callegaro in Abuja.

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, said the Ministry of Police Affairs was keen on implementing the reforms in accordance with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated that as part of the efforts to reform the police, the ministry has resuscitated the Police Public Complaints Committee, PPCC to provide platform for the citizens to report any perceive infringement from the police.

“You cannot be a judge in your own case that is the feelings of the citizens which necessitated independent body, (the PPCC) that comprises civil society, non-government organization and others that would treat any complaints against any erring police officers,” he said.

He said recent ongoing recruitment of 10, 000 policemen, review of salaries and procurement of equipment is part of the reforms federal government is embarking on to improve efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force.

Maigari recalled that the ministry which was re-established by President Buhari to give policy direction and guidance to the police force, has a big challenge in its checkered history, especially in course of merging the ministry due to lack of institutional continuity of various policies and programmes. 

He expressed that welfare and equipment are critical to police to enable them discharge their duty adding that the Ministry major concern is the public relations with the citizens which needs urgent attention.

“Most of the challenges the police had with the citizens emanated from the lower cadre of the force which constantly have direct contact with the public during their official duty and there is urgent need for necessary training and support for them to enhance their efficiency,” he explained.

Earlier, the Deputy Director, for West and Central Africa, German Federal Foreign Office, Mr. Alexandre Callegaro stated that their visit is part of political conversation and consultation that took placed between President Buhari and the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel after the EndSARS protest and the need for police reform.

He reiterated the German government’s cooperation and support for Nigeria on police reforms to modernize the force to make it better, adding that there is more expectation from the public, political leaders and the world at large.