Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma, has said that the alleged corrupt practices in the Nigeria Police are unjustifiable and without good reason.
Danjuma made the remark at a citizens’ engagement on police reform organised by the CLEEN Foundation, a Civil Society Organisation, CSO, on Friday in Owerri.
Aboki, represented by an Assistant CP, Mr Edwin Nkpa, said that irrespective of the prevailing challenges, such as poor funding and the lack of adequate training, police officers must remain committed to the tenets of accountability and trust.
“There’s no reason to justify corruption and extortion because, irrespective of whatever challenges there may be, the police is built on the tenets of accountability, trust and professionalism,’’ he said.
In a keynote address, a Professor of Criminology at the University of Jos, Etannibi Alemika, called for serious police reform in the country.
According to him, Nigerians are no longer satisfied with the overall conduct and character of policemen in the country.
Speaking on the theme: “Past Police Reform Efforts in Nigeria: Gains and Pitfalls,” Alemika said that the dream for a reformed police would be unrealistic in an unhealthy political system.
He urged Nigerians to demand education, healthcare, employment and social fulfillment to reduce the burden of criticism of the police.
“The quality of the police is largely dependent on the quality of governance and for this reason, you cannot have a good police in a bad political system,’’ he said.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Mr Gad Peter, said that the event became necessary, following observations of a growing disconnect between the police and the communities they serve.
He said that issues, such as excessive use of force, lack of accountability and inadequate training, have eroded public trust and confidence in Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies.
Peter called for comprehensive and sustainable reforms, capable of “transforming our police force into a more effective, transparent and community-oriented service within the context of the South-East“.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the participants at the meeting were representatives of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps as well as CSOs and the media.