CLEEN FOUNDATION CONDEMNS CIVILIAN BRUTALITY OF THE POLICE

It is crucial to distinguish between legitimate criticism of police actions and the use of violence or brutality. Peaceful protests and public discourse play an essential role in holding law enforcement accountable and advocating for necessary reforms. However, any form of violence or brutality is unacceptable and undermines the principles of a just society. Few days ago, Mr. Seun Kuti, the scion of the late Afrobeat Maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti; physically assaulted an officer of the Nigeria Police Force in the line of duty and this portrays a poor sense of civic responsibility. CLEEN Foundation strongly condemns any act of violence against officers of the Police Force and enjoins citizens to desist from such irresponsible act.

We must commend the officer who portrayed every form of professionalism and good conduct in the face of unruliness, disrespect and animosity. Law enforcement agencies have protocols and training to handle challenging situations, and incidents of civilian brutalization are typically met with legal consequences. It is the responsibility of both law enforcement agencies and communities to foster dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect to reduce the likelihood of such incidents occurring.

There are processes and procedures to report officers who act unruly in line of duty and there are consequences for every form of misconduct. In recent times, we have seen the Nigeria Police discipline officers who go against the code of conduct, violate human rights or exhibit any form of violence. We encourage Nigerians to hold our Police Officials to high standards and accord them every single form of respect and cooperation as they execute their duties.

As an organization that monitors the conduct of police officers in the line of duty and ensure that the rights of citizens are not violated, we are also very passionate about the rights of police officers as they are equally human. Civilians should equally expect disciplinary measures if the violate the right of these officers. It is worth emphasizing that building trust between police and the community they serve is crucial for maintaining public safety and ensuring effective law enforcement. Encouraging open lines of communication, community policing initiatives, and efforts to address underlying social issues can help foster positive relationships between civilians and the police.

Gad Peter

Executive Director