NHRC Town Hall Urges Human Rights Overhaul in FCT Policing

By Toffa Momoh

ABUJA – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has hosted a strategic town hall for Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to improve on accountability and human rights friendly policing in the FCT.

Senior officials from the Police Service Commission (PSC), Nigeria Police Force, and NHRC gathered to address frontline policing challenges amid Nigeria’s drive for accountable security.

The Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu, SAN, represented by the Director Civil and Political Rights (CPR) department kicked off the event.

He hailed DPOs as “frontline commanders of our security architecture, the critical bridge between citizens and safety”.

Ojukwu highlighted the newly handed-over Police Regulations 2025, launched on April 15 under the Minister of Police Affairs, with NHRC’s direct input. “These regulations are the gold standard for professional conduct,” he stated.

According to him, the regulations align local operations with UN policing standards and provide clear guidelines to reduce complaints and lawsuits.

CPR Director Halilu Adamu outlined the core objectives of the Townhall: embedding human rights into FCT policing through mastery of the Anti-Torture Act (2017) and Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA, 2015).

He warned of liabilities from non-compliance, urging a shift from coercion-driven investigations to intelligence-led strategies and forensic evidence.

Organized by Commission’s CPR Department, the forum targeted issues like unlawful detentions, custodial abuses, and reporting gaps.

Speakers emphasized community-focused reforms. Deputy Director Barr. Mrs. Charity C. Orvainya detailed ACJA provisions on lawful arrests, strict detention timelines, bail rights, and humane treatment for detainees.

“ACJA builds public trust, slashes complaints, and protects you from liability,” she said, banning proxy arrests and stressing basics like food and medical care.

While another Deputy Director, Mr. Damian Ugwu addressed torture prevention under the 2017 Act, sharing data on rising complaints and calling on officers to report abuses. “This duty makes you legitimate heroes,” he added.

The Chairman of the PSC represented by Mr Babatunde Dada Esq. praised NHRC’s leadership and the agencies’ long-standing collaboration, which produced milestones like the Police Regulations.

Similarly, the representative of FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Unugu Hillary, PhD, delivered a goodwill message affirming police commitment. He noted the selected DPOs’ wide reach and pledged to cascade lessons across ranks.

DPOs left the event energized, armed with practical tools for ethical policing.

The town hall signals a potential turning point for FCT law enforcement, fostering trust and accountability on Abuja’s streets.