By Tina Amanda
Civil Rights Council has called on security agencies to ensure human rights is observed in the cause of security services to build a robust collaboration and corporation amongst citizens.
The National Coordinator Civil Rights Council (CRC), Arochukwu Ogbonna, called during a CSO’s interactive session with security agencies and other stakeholders, organised by Civil Rights Council and supported by Social Action in Port Harcourt.
Ogbonna said the synergy between citizens and security agencies would be achieved if a better system is in place to ensure the human rights component in the policing and delivering security services.
In a communique reached after a constructive discussion between members of security agencies, the Civil Rights Council and members of CSOs, human rights is observed while providing security services.
The National Coordinator CRC called for Human rights training and retraining of Police officers and across various security agencies while urging public members to cooperate with security Officers during stop and search for investigation purposes.
“Citizens should comport carry themselves so as not to raise doubt or suspicion to security agencies, avoid wearing tattoos, dreadlocks or informal dressing that can raise doubt. People should try as much as possible to be in the right place at the right time.
“Police and security agencies should only entertain criminal matters and carry out a thorough investigation; only in the cause of the inquiry it would be determined whether the case is civil or criminal.
“We demand the EFCC do better going forward by ensuring they observe human rights and the rule of law, just as we commend them for their professionalism in the cause of discharge of their function.
“Political will, logistics, including adequate numeration, training and retraining of security agencies is a pre-condition for good performance which made the EFCC stand out amongst other agencies.
“There is a need for more funding for the Police Force, a need for the Police institution to adequately and strictly account for funds and resources made available to them by the government.
“Stop and search by security agencies is a product of intelligence information, and members of the public should cooperate with security agencies in the case of stop and search as mere stop and examination do not amount to any crime.
“Human rights training is necessary for officers of the security agencies; the civil rights council is making it possible to expand human rights training across various security agencies.
A human rights desk and dedicated lines should be made available to security agencies so people can report issues of violation of human rights, and more importantly, erring security Officers should be reported and monitored closely. The NDLEA should intensify their search for illicit drugs”.
Representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Esther Ozuromba, said the agency no longer prosecutes citizens without substantial evidence or exhibits to stop human rights violation.
“Most crimes are perpetrated under the effect of drugs. We have a department which is the rehabilitation aspect of it; we not only arrest and prosecute but also enlighten people on the dangers of drugs.
“NDLEA Executive Chairman frowns over arresting someone without exhibits. He does not tolerate the arrest and detention of a person. If it were before, NDLEA would go out for an arrest; if they do not see the suspect, they pick the person’s wife, or anybody detains them for months, even without the person knowing what offence has been committed.
“This time around, the NDLEA boss has warned against such action, that any arrest we go to effect if the person is not involved in the matter or there are no exhibits, we should not prosecute such case.
“A standard operating procedure is now in place because of the human rights matter. To enable personnel to abide by the rules of operation, any operation without exhibits is no longer allowed in the agency, and any officer found guilty will answer for it”.
Also, representing the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC, Celestina Okorie said EFCC is one organisation that respects human rights, as the rights of people are respected while carrying out their operations.
