CSOs call for implementation of Police Act 2020 before State Police

A coalition of 55 civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria has submitted a memorandum to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, expressing concerns about the proposal to establish state police.

The CSOs argued that state police may not be a solution to Nigeria’s security challenges and could even exacerbate the problems that have plagued the Nigeria Police Force (NPF)

The CSOs pointed out that the Police Act 2020 has not been fully implemented, and therefore, introducing state police without addressing the existing challenges may not yield the desired results.

The CSOs expressed concerns that state police may be used to suppress dissent, harass opponents, and perpetuate ethnic and religious bigotry.

The CSOs emphasize that policing is a reactive function and that addressing the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality, is crucial to ensuring sustainable peace and safety.

The CSOs recommend that the Police Act 2020 be fully implemented before considering the establishment of state police.

The CSOs suggested that a federal oversight mechanism be established to regulate both federal and state police.

The CSOs further recommend that minimum constitutional standards be defined for the establishment, recruitment, training, operations, and accountability of state police.

The groups are, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC); Spaces for Change (S4C); Community Policing Partners – COMPPART; Life and Peace Development Organization (LAPDO); Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS); Solidarity for the paradigm shift initiative and Elixir Trust Foundation.

Also Center for Peace Education and Community Development; Open Society on Justice Reform Project; Centre For Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding; Restorative Justice for Africa; Vision Spring Initiatives; (Human Rights Advocacy and Monitoring Group HURAMG). And Committee for the Defence of Human Rights Lagos Branch.

Nchekwa Ndi Ogbenye Foundation; Center for Peace Education and Community Development; WAKE – WOMEN AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. (Wake -WAYED) JALINGO TARABA STATE: Women and Youth Made to Impact (WAYOMTI); I Have Conscience Foundation and Benbrian Support Mission (BSM).

CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING, ADVOCACY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION; Initiative for Climate Change and Renewable Energy Advocacy; FAITH-ALIVE VULNERABLE FOUNDATION (FAVF); Taraba Youths Transformation Initiative; Taraba Youth Round Table initiative; Mikailu Peculiar Foundation and Community Education Development Initiative Center (CEDIC).

Also CENTER FOR HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA (CHEDA); Alheri Centre for Women and Child Care Development (ACWCCD); The Reformed Drug and Substance Abuse Initiative! Dephee peace and community development Initiative DPCDI and
Justice Human Development and Peace Initiative.

Jotima Foundation; Fedma Care initiative; Council for Affirmative Action (COFAA) Bauchi State; Adamu Abdullazeez Bako: 3. Centre for Citizens Rights; Neighbourhood Initiative for Women Advancement (NIWA);Centre for Citizens Rights; Neighbourhood Initiative for Women Advancement (NIWA); Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) and Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development FENRAD Nigeria.

Jotima Foundatio:n,; Fedmaf Care initiative.!; Angee Life Worth Foundation ( ALIF); Advocacy for Integrity and Rule of Law Initiative (AIRLIN); Eneme Women Progressive Initiative, Abdulshafa’at m Dame; North East Peace Struggle initiative! Hope For Future Generation Initiative Tarabe North East peace Struggle initiative; Aminchi Care Initiative
Women of Valour Initiative for Development and Empowerment ( WOVAIDE), Under-Privileged Grassroot Foundation (UGF) and New Moon Charity Foundation (NMCF) and Democracy and Human Rights Network (DHRN)