The Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, has hit back at the Amnesty International on the alleged torture by men and Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, most especially SARS, that their assertion is not just false but their fantasy.
In his response, Idris said that his officers conform to best practices at all time.
“The Nigeria Police do not tolerate or condone torture in any form”, he said.
According to him, “the Force has been working with critical stakeholders in the criminal justice system in the country and other local and international NGOs and partners including foreign embassies and international human rights organisations to train and retrain Police personnel to conform to International best practices on care and custody of detainees in its detention facilities across the country”.
He said, “suspects or detainees in police detention facilities generally have unfettered access to legal practitioners of choice, access to relatives at regulated time and care.
“It is the practice throughout Nigeria Police Force detention facilities across the country that detainees are fed by Police food contractors on reasonable meals on daily basis, medical attention are promptly given to those who fell sick while in detention before they are taken to court.
Idris further said, “it is on record that upon written request for a visit to SARS facilities in Abuja, Anambra and Enugu States by Amnesty International, the Inspector General of Police approved the request”.
He noted that the Amnesty International team were given unguided access to the detention facilities in some States when they sought to make inspection of their detention facilities.
“Also, the Nigeria Police and Amnesty International jointly agreed to a roundtable discussion to avail the Police the right of reply, and verify facts on 20th September, 2016.
In contrast, the Amnesty International with a predetermined motive reneged on the agreement but released an abridged report before 20th September, 2016 and pretentiously published the report on the date agreed to discuss the findings.
“The bone of contention therefore is who is fooling who? Can Amnesty International and its orchestrated report be trusted? The obvious answer is NO.
Idris stated that the Nigeria Police therefore, “wishes to urge Nigerians and the International community to discountenance and disregard the so called Amnesty report on Police torture in Nigeria as a clear demonstration of mischief and calculated attempt to promote a campaign of calumny and hidden agenda of suppressing growth and development in Nigeria.
He reassures Nigerians and the International community that the Nigeria Police will continue to discharge its statutory functions according to all known laws and regulations despite obvious distractions.
The IGP stressed that the Nigeria Police is determined to adhere to principles of International Police reforms, conform to standard discipline and reward system, building trust and confidence in the citizenry. We will not condone torture and other ill treatment of suspects in the Special Anti Robbery Squad [SARS] detention or any of its detention facility throughout the country.
“The Nigeria Police performance in International organisations has been a source of pride to Africa and the United Nations”, he added.
