President Buhari Warns Nigerian Police Against Torture And Extra-Judicial Killings

President Buhari Warns Nigerian Police Against Torture And Extra-Judicial Killings

President Buhari on Thursday in Wudil, Kano State, warned the police
to desist from acts which tend to bring the community in conflict with
them.

The President said unprofessional conducts such as illegal
detentions, extrajudicial killings, torture and violation of fundamental
human rights were unacceptable and must be avoided by the Nigeria
Police Force at all times. He gave the directive in his address at the
convocation and passing out parade of the First Regular Cadet Course at
the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.

”We must abide by the constitutional code of conduct in policing our
people. The Police in its efforts to fight crime must work in
partnership with the community. You cannot properly police the people
without their consent,” he told the 602 graduands.

President Buhari also used the occasion to remind police officers to
shun corruption and resist all temptations that impede the integrity and
professionalism of the Force.

”It is appropriate to warn you as Police Officers not to see
yourselves as being above the Law. You must be above board and resist
all temptations. Be contented with your salaries and allowances.

”The Government recently increased your general emoluments to make
you more efficient and effective in the discharge of your duties. With
this increase in your salaries, you have less reason to fall into
temptations of financial or other inducements.

”Let me again reiterate that this administration has zero tolerance
for corruption. Corruption is the major reason why the Nigerian economy
has not developed at the rate of other comparable countries.

”If we must develop and reap the fruits of our democratic
dispensation we must shun corruption at all levels. It is, therefore,
your responsibilities and other anti-corruption agencies to kill
corruption before Corruption overtakes Nigeria, ” he said.

While commending the police for the successes it has recorded in the
fight against various aspects of crime in the country, the President
acknowledged that they had worked closely with the military in the fight
against Boko Haram in the North East.

”I am aware that you have just deployed over 2000 Police Officers
including Special Forces to the North East to support the efforts of the
Military.

”The success recorded in the fight against Boko Haram in the North
East cannot be related without mentioning the support you are giving to
the Military. The group is no longer occupying any Nigerian Territory as
it used to before the advent of this administration.

”The recent attacks by the Boko Haram group can be likened to
attempts of defeated insurgents to re-organise its ragtag and scattered
individuals. This, however, will not be possible as adequate strategic
plans have been put in place in conjunction with our neighbouring
countries to completely wipe out the group, ” he said.

On the 2019 elections, President Buhari reiterated that it is the
duty of the police, supported by other security agencies to adequately
secure the elections.

”You must do everything possible to make the election violence free
to avoid ballot box snatching, multiple voting, vote buying on sites,
attack on electoral officers and other acts which might negatively
impact on the elections and their outcome, ” the President said at the
event attended by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Mohammed
Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, the Inspector-General of Police,
Ibrahim Idris and other senior police officers.

”The elections must be conducted in a violence free environment for
it to be adjudged credible, free and fair in the eyes of both local and
international observers,” he said.

The President pledged that his administration will continue to do all
that is possible to make the Nigeria Police efficient and responsive to
the security needs of the country by providing the necessary assistance
to make its operations technology based.

While congratulating the graduands on successfully completing the
five years training programme in the institution, President Buhari
enjoined the new officers to be courageous, brave and determined in the
fight against all forms of crime in the country.

The President noted that he was happy to be the first serving
President to witness the passing out parade of the first batch of
Nigeria Police Academy Cadet Officers.