The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Rivers State has dismissed insinuations and claims by some individuals and groups that indiscipline, brutality, and human rights abuses are thriving under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
Chairman of the Rivers State PCRC, Voke Emore, in an interview over the weekend, described the assertions as incorrect and misleading.
Emore stressed that contrary to such claims, CP Adepoju has consistently addressed incidents of human rights violations involving erring officers, with disciplinary measures taken against those found culpable after investigations.
He cited the removal of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Agbali Park some months ago, after officers under his command allegedly fired tear gas at journalists and protesters, as evidence of the CP’s zero tolerance for unprofessional conduct.
“The PCRC has equally brought cases of human rights infractions to the CP, and disciplinary actions were taken against the erring officers,” Emore stated.
While acknowledging that no profession is entirely free of misconduct, the PCRC chairman maintained that the prompt response and attention given by the Rivers Police Command should be recognized.
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He commended CP Adepoju for swiftly addressing allegations of rights abuses, ensuring arrests of accused officers, and instituting unbiased investigations.
Emore further disclosed that in a bid to strengthen citizens’ rights protection, the Rivers CP recently partnered with the PCRC and FIDA to retrain gender desk officers across divisions, tactical units, and other formations in qthe state. This, he noted, is in addition to the ongoing six-month training exercise and regular lectures on human rights being carried out at division, area command, and state levels.
He urged members of the public who encounter human rights infractions by police officers to promptly report to the authorities, assuring that adequate attention will be given to such complaints.
The Rivers PCRC reaffirmed its confidence in CP Adepoju and his team, noting their commitment to maintaining a crime-free state while upholding citizens’ rights.
