FG Asks Police To Eradicate Custodial Violence Against Suspects

The Nigerian government has advised the police to work towards eradicating custodial violence against suspects and other detainees in their custody.

It also asked the police to ensure an improved investigation and prosecution of suspected criminals.

In a speech delivered at the inaugural Strategic Police Management Conference organised by the Nigeria Police Force on Friday, the Economic Adviser to the President, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, stressed that the idea of confessional statement obtained by the police was militating against the successful prosecution of criminals.

He said most confessional statements were often disputed in court, as the suspects claim such statements were written under duress.

At the conference held in Abuja were senior police officers, who gathered to brainstorm and fashion out ways of effective and intelligence-based policing.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, called on Nigerians to support the police in becoming effective social arbiters.

The convener of the conference and Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, also decried the inadequate training opportunities for senior police officers.

Issues to be discussed at the two-day conference include investigation of custodial violence; a comparative analysis of Canada, USA, UK and South Africa and strategies for managing the multiple demands of policing in democratic conditions.