The Nigeria Police Force in its resolve to address issues of human rights abuses and unethical conducts by officers,on Wednesday,23rd,2024 commissioned the Complaint Response Unit(CRU) at Police headquarters,Moscow road, PortHarcourt
In his address,the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police,AIG incharge of zone 16 Police headquaters ,Yenagoa,Adebola Hamzat said no institution deals with their own when there is misconduct like the Nigeria Police.
“But there are some lacuna,it is that lacuna that the CRU has come to fill.There is no misconduct that is reported to the police that actions are not taken .
“People perceive that if you report misconduct of officers nothing will happen because the higher echelon are aware of what they do, is not correct .
“The CRU gives that protection because people fear to give information to the Police.At the initial point of reporting,nobody knows your identity.is an online thing .The IGP said I should acknowledge the efforts of the international donor who made this to come to reality.
“we thank you for giving effective partnership to the Police.The Police force cannot do it only.Policing is everybody’s affair.That is why we collaborate with sister security agents, traditional rulers,student unions,Civil Society Organizations
“The CRU was created in 2015 and they have been doing well .Recent happenings shows that the Police is changing and we will continue to change.
“IGP has said it that the force has zero tolerance for corruption.We will continue to improve with what we have on ground”.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State,Mustapha Bala said the Commissioning of CRU office in Rivers State is a monumental milestone for Police in it quest for professionalism and accountability.
“It is a symbol of our commitment to address unprofessional conduct including extortion,harassment,prolonged detention of suspects etc.
“The CRU office signifies our resolve to serve with honour and integrity” CP Bala stated.
Highpoint point of the event was cutting of ribbon tied in front of the CRU complex signifying the official opening and commissioning of the office.
The CRU was office was built with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,the United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria,Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement,United Nations Peace Building Fund.
Our correspondent reports that students,Civil Societies,Traditional rulers,labour members,professionals from different endeavours were all in attendance.
