Addressing Police Barracks Conditions: Commendable, But Urgent Calls for Comprehensive Investigation and Structural Reforms
Oru Leonard
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has commented the recent resolution passed by the House of Representatives, urging the Federal Government to auction police barracks nationwide.
“This move represents a commendable effort to address the dire living conditions endured by officers within the Nigerian Police Force. However, while this decision marks a positive stride toward alleviating a longstanding issue, we emphasize the need for a more profound and comprehensive approach”, HURIWA stated.
HURIWA National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed his firm believes that it is imperative for the government to go beyond superficial solutions and to initiate a thorough examination aimed at uncovering the root causes behind the deteriorating state of police barracks across the nation.
In this regard, the civil rights earnestly called upon the authorities to establish a judicial and auditors commission of investigators. This commission should be mandated to delve deep into the finances of the Nigerian Police Force, meticulously examining all financial transactions and budget allocations related to the maintenance, renovation, and upkeep of police barracks.
The objective is to unveil the intricate details surrounding the decline in these facilities. To this end, essential questions must be addressed: What transpired with the budgetary releases that were allocated for the repair and maintenance of these barracks? Who are the individuals responsible for the misappropriation of these funds? What forces contributed to the damage inflicted upon police buildings and for what purposes were these actions taken? The establishment of accountability is of paramount importance, and any individuals found culpable of mismanagement must be held to account.
Furthermore, it is unequivocally clear that the present policing structure in Nigeria is in dire need of comprehensive reform. We assertively recommend the immediate establishment of state police entities, each under the control of a wholly independent monitoring body. This body should consist of 37 members, drawn from diverse regions of the country, and should be tasked with promoting community-oriented policing strategies, enhancing public safety, and ensuring the responsible exercise of law enforcement powers.
The Nigerian Police Force’s ability to fulfill its role effectively is at a crossroads. It is our firm belief that the force will remain dysfunctional if it is not unbundled and subject to a wide-ranging reform and restructuring process.
HURIWA stands ready to actively engage and collaborate with the government, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of these essential reforms. It is only through cooperative action that we can ensure the protection of the rights and well-being of both police officers and the citizens they are sworn to serve. We recognize that the future integrity of law enforcement and the trust of the Nigerian people hang in the balance, and it is our collective responsibility to act with urgency.
The House of Representatives has on Thursday called on the Federal Government to auction all police barracks across the country.
The lawmakers also asked the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Police Affairs to liaise with the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to immediately assess the value of all federal owned barracks across the country and announce a public offering for same.
The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion raised by Hon. Murphy Omoruyi on the need to address the deplorable living conditions of officers of the Nigerian Police
