Rethinking policing

As agitations for complete reforms of the Nigeria Police continue across the country, PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports that the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has opened talks with relevant stakeholders on how to emplace structures that work through security sector governance.

 

EXTRA JUDICIAL killings, brutality, extortion, unlawful arrest, torture and other human rights infractions against the Nigerian people are some of issues that have fuelled ongoing nationwide protests against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Nigeria Police Force in general.

For many years there have been complaints especially from young people against activities of the squad and other police units without much action taken by the government to put a stop.

Since 2008, several committees have been constituted and recommendations made on how to reform the police but successive governments seemed to have been at a lost on how to implement these recommendations, a development that has led to trust deficit in the police and widespread protests that have grounded activities in major cities for over 10 days.

Worried by the development, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), in collaboration with Transparency International (TI) and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, convened a roundtable discussion to chart a way forward. The roundtable which held at Ikeja, Lagos, brought together lawyers, lawmakers, activists, law enforcers and media practitioners specifically focused on how the country can localise, operationalise the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF), which was adopted by the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) in January 2008.

Aimed at strengthening democratic rule through increased inter-agency partnership, coordination and collaboration in the implementation of a robust Security Sector Reforms/Governance (SSR/G) the ECPF envisions the setting up of a platform as a strategy to improve alliance, synergy and deepen linkages.

It seeks to bridge the gap between policy and operations as a comprehensive operational conflict prevention and peace-building strategy on security governance by promoting human security, accountability, transparency, and professionalism of security forces. The legislation also envisages the adoption of a regulatory framework with sanctions regime on non-statutory armed groups such as militias, vigilantes and private security outfits.

Stakeholders at the gathering agreed there was need for a complete overhaul of the country’s security architecture in order to put in place policing that work for the good of the majority. They also condemned the current trend whereby over 120,000 of the country’s estimated 370,000 police operatives were guarding VIPs or engaged in duties that are nor related to policing the country.

Participants also pointed out the need for attitudinal change, a central crime database, intelligence driven policing as well as blocking all loopholes in revenue generation that fuel corruption in.the security sector.

CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, said the organisers had worked to institutionalise a participatory system that is vibrant, robust and effective, adding that one of the focus was to equip participants with adequate information and sound oversight skills to monitor track and report gaps within the security framework, processes, practices and spending.

Appraising the country’s security, Musa said there had been failings because of weak sanctioning and deterrence mechanisms, highlighting structural, operational and administrative challenges that  brought about the  impasse.

He advocated a security structure that allows citizen participation and recognises non-state actors, noting that any other strategy was bound to fail because the people would not feel like a part of the process.

“What is the meaning of accountability and justice in the context of the Nigerian security sector? This obviously calls for an urgent review of Nigeria’s current regular noncompliance of security agencies to the rule of law. #EndSARSNow campaign is a classic example of a dare situation that requires immediate approach to make it more effective. Simply put, democracy of a nation is measured essentially by the degree of accountability of the sector to civil authority. It is measured by the extent of its professionalism, the respect for human rights, the rule of law and its efficiency and effectiveness.

“The shortfall in these measures are symbolised by corruption in the sector, abuse of fundamental human rights, curtailment of civil liberty and the inability to deliver peace as a public good and the financial cost attendant to it. The internal mechanisms even within the services do not accord with best practices. To this extent, to secure loyalty and professionalism from the rank and file has been challenging and this much has been admitted by the Chief of Army Staff in a public outcry.

“In recent past, the invocation of prayer warrior conference by the Chief of Army Staff is but an example of “thinking outside the box”! Winning the hearts and minds of the populace becomes a key determinant in conflict management.

“Therefore, any security architecture that ignores the input of non-state actors confronts legitimacy and possible failures. The explosion of information technology has shrunk the space of military secrecy. All these perspectives impact on the security sector,” he said.

To ensure accountability and transparency, Salaudeen Hashim in his presentation said there was need for a locally driven and inclusive national action plan on security sector reform that is locally driven and inclusive. He called for the establishment of an independent monitor that will comprise government, private sector and community representatives to monitor the implementation and domestication of the original protocol on SSR/G.

“We will require a complete change in existing security architecture as a response to ongoing dynamics occasioned by insecurity and that will mean it is important to have an independent monitoring body,” he said.

The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Abdulrasak Balogun canvassed the need for training and retraining of security operatives.

Using the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) as example, Balogun said the LSSTF has ensured routine medical evaluation for the personnel, just as he disclosed that their welfare has been adequately provided.

According to him, adequate funding, proper leadership, training and retraining of the police were vital for any meaningful reform to take place.

“Therefore, proper leadership, equipment, modern policing policies, especially training and retraining are required for the reformation of the Nigeria Police Force for better delivery of their statutory duties.

“While the fund supports the review of the operations of the police in line with the modern realities of today and to reflect the civil nature which is expected in a democratic dispensation, it is of the opinion that the issues of operational capacity and logistics (including good remuneration, welfare, medical evaluation, descent accommodation amongst other things) must also be addressed to improve the quality of deliverables by the police.

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“LSSTF identifies with everyone demanding for the end of police brutality and the reform of the Nigeria Police Force. We understand the challenges of the people, and acknowledge your resilience and commitment. The Lagos State Government understands the strong connection between security and prosperity as there can be no meaningful development without security. Therefore, in 2007 after the review of the security architecture the Government identified the resource deficit of security agencies operating in the state as the main reason for their inefficiency, hence the creation of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund by a law of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“The fund is an interventionist agency with the mandate to mobilise resources for the improvement of the operational capacity of security agencies operating in Lagos to enable them carry out their statutory responsibilities. In the last 13 years the LSSTF has continued to solicit for voluntary donation in order to improve the operational equipment, logistics and training for security operatives in Lagos especially the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command.

“A clear success story of the Fund is the RRS which has enjoyed accolades from the public even during this period. It should be noted that the cerebral leadership of the Commander who does not tolerate misconduct of his men and the provision of equipment, logistics and training by the Fund is responsible for the RRS feat. It should be emphasised that the training of the operatives are in areas such as Etiquette, Professionalism, Crisis De-escalation and Crime management.

“The commitment of LSSTF has shown that with a clear vision, prudent and efficient ways of applying meager resources we can effect a better, people orientated, diligent and successful policing in Nigeria as encapsulated in the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

“It is in view of the above that the Fund continues to solicit for donations to provide better equipment, logistics and training for improved efficiency of the police and other security agencies in the Lagos State”.