Group Urges Policing Rooted In Trust, Legality, Human Dignity

The Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) has called for a policing system anchored on trust, legality, respect for culture, and human dignity.

Executive Director of CCIDESOR, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, made the call in Enugu in a statement titled Policy Brief (September 2025 Series), themed “Promoting Trust through Deeper Understanding of Law, Culture and Human Rights by Police and Communities.”

The brief emerged from Mutual Accountability Fora Engagements between the police and community members in Abia and Enugu States, as well as other parts of the country.

The engagements were implemented by CCIDESOR in partnership with International Alert, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Nigeria Police Force Reform Initiative III.

Ononamadu said genuine trust between citizens and the police cannot be legislated but must be earned through lawful conduct, mutual respect, and empathy.

“The ongoing partnership between CCIDESOR, International Alert, and FCDO shows that progress is possible when communities and police meet as partners, not adversaries,” he said. “By deepening understanding of law, culture, and human rights, Nigeria can build a policing model rooted in justice, compassion, and shared responsibility.”

He recommended that the Nigeria Police Force institutionalise human rights and cultural intelligence training for all officers and integrate Mutual Accountability and Scorecard Dialogues into divisional operations.

He further urged the Police to strengthen internal discipline, ensure zero tolerance for extortion and torture, and recognise traditional rulers and Community Policing Forums as lawful partners in local security.

Ononamadu also called on the Federal and State Governments to invest in human rights education, support the implementation of the Police Act and Anti-Torture Act, and provide continuous training on lawful investigation and conflict resolution.

He urged civil society and the media to promote balanced reporting, support awareness on citizens’ rights and police powers, and sustain dialogue between communities and law enforcement.

Communities, he added, should engage constructively with the police, discourage mob justice, and collaborate to protect vulnerable groups, including women, youths, and persons with disabilities.